Introduction Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a well-known complication for patients after acute ischemic stroke, due to decreased mobility of the affected extremities and/or prolonged bedrest. Endovascular recanalization therapy (ERT) for acute ischemic stroke has been shown to be superior to the use of intravenous thrombolytic agents alone. Recent randomized trials demonstrated that qualified patients who presented with acute ischemic stroke and underwent endovascular thrombectomy had improved functional outcome. The authors hypothesize that successful ERT decreases the risk of subsequent DVT development in patients with acute large middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory ischemia.

Methods A retrospective review of an imaging database from January 2011 to January 2016 was performed for patients who had acute large MCA territory ischemia based on CT perfusion and CT angiography and subsequent upper or lower extremity duplex ultrasound and/or chest CT for evaluation of DVT or PE. Patents who underwent successful ERT were identified based on operative reports from electronic medical record. Ultrasound or CT reports were retrieved from PACS to identify patients who developed subsequent DVT or PE. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 21.0.

Results A total of 88 patients with acute large MCA territory ischemia secondary to major vessel occlusion were identified. Sixty-three patients, 26 (41.3%) male and 37 (58.7%) female, either were not qualified for ERT or had persistent occlusion despite attempted ERT. The remaining 25 patients, 11 (44.0%) male and 14 (56.0%) female, had complete revascularization (TICI 3). Number of patients who received intravenous tPA was 23 (36.5%) in the occluded group and 11 (44.0%) in the revascularized group, respectively. The percentage of patients who developed subsequent DVT or PE was greater in the occluded group than the revascularized group (14.3% vs. 4.0%). However, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.159). Interestingly, 80% of patients developed DVT on the side of the extremity contralateral to the affected cerebral hemisphere or the expected side of the limb affected by the stroke.

Conclusions In patients with acute large MCA territory ischemia, endovascular recanalization therapy appeared to decrease the risk of developing subsequent DVT or PE. However, a larger sample size is needed to demonstrate statistical significance. Interestingly, majority of DVT were developed on the side of the extremity contralateral to the affected cerebral hemisphere.

Disclosures Z. Li: None. M. Cox: None.