Mechanical thrombectomy is a “reasonable, safe and technically feasible” option for isolated posterior circulation distal, medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) stroke, although it’s rarely performed, researchers say.

Isolated occlusions of the posterior cerebral artery account for about 5-10% of all ischaemic strokes, researchers note in JAMA Neurology.

In a case-control study, German-led researchers assessed the frequency, safety and clinical outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy versus standard medical treatment with or without intravenous thrombolysis for primary distal occlusion of the P2 or P3 segment of the posterior cerebreal artery.

After propensity-score matching, there were 92 patients in each group who were treated at 23 stroke centres in Europe, the United States and Asia from 2010-2020.