Dr. Marks and his associates are proposing a randomized controlled trial in which the primary hypothesis is that treatment with an approved thrombectomy device within 18-24 hours is more likely to result in a good clinical outcome at 90 days when patients are selected on the basis of a favorable MRI profile.
"The time is right to do this study, because current stentrievers have a high rate of recanalization," Dr. Marks said. "Physiologic imaging can identify patients who will benefit from recanalization in an extended time period."
DEFUSE-2 was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Dr. Marks said that he had no relevant financial conflicts to disclose.