This systematic review and meta-analysis examined data from 4 randomized trials and 11 observational studies involving nearly 8,500 patients with vertebrobasilar artery occlusion. The goal was to compare endovascular therapy against standard medical treatment for these patients.
The analysis found that endovascular therapy significantly increased the likelihood of a favorable functional outcome at 90 days. Patients treated with this procedure were also much less likely to die within 90 days compared to those receiving standard medical care alone. Additionally, more patients achieved functional independence, meaning they could care for themselves without help.
However, the study also noted a higher risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain, for those receiving endovascular therapy. Despite this increased bleeding risk, the overall evidence supports endovascular therapy as a cornerstone treatment for this condition. Readers should understand that while the procedure offers clear benefits for survival and recovery, it carries a specific risk of bleeding that clinicians must weigh carefully.