Local anesthesia vs general anesthesia during endovascular therapy for acute posterior circulation stroke

Objective: The optimal anesthetic approach during endovascular therapy (EVT) in acute stroke patients remains an area of uncertainty. We investigated the impact of different anesthetic approaches on the outcome of posterior circulation stroke (PCS) patients undergoing EVT.

Methods: For this observational study, we enrolled consecutive PCS patients who underwent EVT from December 2012 to December 2018, and compared functional outcomes at 90 days as well as long-term follow-up in patients treated under local anesthesia (LA) versus general anesthesia (GA). Multivariable logistic regression and propensity score matched analyses were conducted.

Results: Among the 183 patients included in this study, 71 patients (38.8%) received LA and 112 patients (61.2%) received GA. Median modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days was 4 (IQR, 2-6) in both groups (P = .956). No significant differences in the rates of functional independence and mortality at 90 days as well as long-term follow-up post intervention were observed between the two groups, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed comparable long-term survival probabilities. Safety outcomes (including procedure-related complications and serious adverse events) did not differ between these patients. The anesthetic approach was neither associated with functional independence nor associated with mortality. Propensity score matched analysis indicated similar results.

Conclusions: For PCS patients undergoing EVT, LA compared with GA does not seem to result in different functional outcomes and complications rates.