Improvements in recanalization with modern stroke therapy: a review of prospective ischemic stroke trials during the last two decades

Introduction A number of recent trials evaluating intra-arterial therapies for acute ischemic stroke have been completed. We present a review of prospective acute ischemic stroke trials reported in a peer-reviewed forum during the last 20 years to provide insight into the general direction of this rapidly evolving field.

Methods Prospective trials evaluating acute stroke intra-arterial therapies since 1999 were included, with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke rtPA trial published in 1995 as a baseline comparator. Patient presenting factors and outcome data were analyzed based on year of publication and best-fit lines and linear regression analyses were generated. Read more