Volume 98, Issue 2 pp. 258-269
Research Article

Cerebral Edema Progression and Outcomes in Large Infarct Patients Undergoing Endovascular Thrombectomy

Ximing Nie MD

Ximing Nie MD

Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China

Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Jinjie Liu MD

Jinjie Liu MD

Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China

Department of General Medicine, Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Dalian Municipal Central Hospital), Dalian, China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Bernard Yan DMedSci

Bernard Yan DMedSci

Melbourne Brain Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

Department of Radiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

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Felix C. Ng MBBS

Felix C. Ng MBBS

Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

Department of Neurology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia

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Sibo Liu MD

Sibo Liu MD

Department of Intensive Care Unit, Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Dalian Municipal Central Hospital), Dalian, China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Yongle Wang MD

Yongle Wang MD

Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China

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Mengxing Wang PhD

Mengxing Wang PhD

Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China

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Lina Zheng MD, PhD

Lina Zheng MD, PhD

Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China

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Zan Wang MD

Zan Wang MD

Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China

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Yuying Wang MD

Yuying Wang MD

School of Computer and Communication Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China

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Yuesong Pan PhD

Yuesong Pan PhD

Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China

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Xiaochuan Huo MD, PhD

Xiaochuan Huo MD, PhD

Neurological Disease Center, Cerebral Vascular Disease Department, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

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Zhongrong Miao MD, PhD

Zhongrong Miao MD, PhD

Interventional Neuroradiology, Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

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Stephen M. Davis MD

Stephen M. Davis MD

Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

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Liping Liu MD, PhD

Corresponding Author

Liping Liu MD, PhD

Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, China

Address correspondence to Dr Liu, Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 119 West Road, South 4th Ring, Fengtai District, Beijing 100070, China. E-mail: [email protected]

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for the ANGEL-ASPECT Study Group

for the ANGEL-ASPECT Study Group

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First published: 11 March 2025
Citations: 1

The ANGEL-ASPECT Study Group members are listed in online supplementary file (Data  S4).

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04551664.

Abstract

Objective

The goal was to analyze the progression of cerebral edema post-endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in large infarcts and its association with functional outcomes.

Methods

A secondary analysis of the Endovascular Therapy in Acute Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusive Patients with a Large Infarct Core trial was conducted in patients with large ischemic cores randomized to receive either EVT or medical management (MM) alone. Patients who had follow-up imaging within 7 days post-randomization were involved. The primary outcome was midline shift (MLS). Mediation analysis was performed with EVT as the independent variable, MLS as the mediator, and modified Rankin scale scores at 90 days served as the endpoint. An exploratory analysis was conducted on the progression of net water uptake (ΔNWU).

Results

Of 434 patients, median age was 66.0 years (standard deviation [SD], 9.9), with 61.3% (266) being males. EVT was associated with an early increase in MLS at 24 (±12) hours after randomization (mean [SD], 3.0 [4.2] vs 2.4 [3.6]mm; p = 0.03) compared with the MM group, partially mediating poorer functional outcomes post-EVT (mediation proportion, −25%; 95% CI, −46.54 to −4.10), but did not negate the overall efficacy of thrombectomy. The progression of NWU remained slower after EVT throughout 7 days, inconsistent with MLS.

Interpretation

In patients with large infarct cores, EVT was associated with an early increased mass effect compared with MM, potentially mediating poorer functional outcomes. Despite the evident overall benefits from thrombectomy, accurate prediction and effective anti-edema interventions for the early mass effect post-EVT may further improve outcomes. The complex relationship between NWU and cerebral edema progression warrants further investigation. ANN NEUROL 2025;98:258–269

Potential Conflicts of Interest

Nothing to report.

Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.

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