Association between door-to-needle time and outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis plus mechanical thrombectomy: Analysis from the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke (IRETAS)

INTRODUCTION: We aim to evaluate the association between door-to-needle time (DTN) and outcomes in a population of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) + mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke (IRETAS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with AIS secondary to middle cerebral artery or intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion with known times of symptoms onset, directly presenting to an MT-capable center, were included in the analysis. According to pre-defined DTN cut-off values (⩽30, ⩽45, and ⩽60 min), we evaluated the association between DTN and outcomes by multivariate logistic regression analyses. Effectiveness outcomes were 3-month functional independence, 3-month excellent outcome and successful reperfusion. Safety outcomes were any intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and 3-month mortality.

RESULTS: About 1602 patients were included in our analysis. After logistic regression analysis, a DTN ⩽ 60 min was significantly associated with 3-month functional independence (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.02-1.82). DTNs ⩽ 30, ⩽45, and ⩽60 min were significantly associated with successful reperfusion (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.6-4.43; OR 1.68; 95%CI 1.25-2.26; OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.21-2.05; respectively). A DTN ⩽ 60 min was also significantly associated with lower rate of any ICH (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.43-0.86). DTNs ⩽ 30, ⩽45, and ⩽60 min were significantly associated with lower 3-month mortality (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.08-0.67; OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.29-0.72; OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.39-0.84; respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AIS treated with IVT + MT, a shorter DTN is associated with better outcomes if IVT is initiated within 1 h of hospital admission.