Reference | Total number of patients | Number with BGC | Number without BGC | Number anterior/ Number posterior | Differences in baseline NIHSS? | Differences in comorbidities? | Study design | Inclusion criteria | Risk of bias |
Pereira et al, 201521 | 87 | 48 | 39 | 48/0; 39/0 | No | No | Post-hoc analysis of SWIFT-PRIME | Pre-stroke mRS ≤1, NIHSS 8–29. Treatment within 6 hours with Solitaire for anterior circulation stroke. Infarct <100 mL of tissue. ASPECTS ≥6 | Moderate |
Nguyen et al, 20148 | 338 | 149 | 189 | 142/7; 161/28 | No | More afibrillation in BGC | Post-hoc analysis of NASA Registry | Present within 8 hours onset for anterior circulation, 12 hours for posterior circulation. Treatment with Solitaire device | Moderate |
Velasco et al, 20169 | 183 | 102 | 81 | 102/0; 81/0 | No | No | Single-center, retrospective | Present within 8 hours onset for anterior circulation stroke. Treatment with stent-retriever only | High |
Zaidat et al, 201715 16 | 880 | 505 | 375 | 505/0; 375/0 | No | No | Post-hoc analysis of STRATIS Registry | Pre-stroke mRS ≤1, NIHSS 8–30. Present within 8 hours onset for stroke. Treatment with Solitaire device. Only anterior circulation strokes included in BGC subanalysis. | Moderate |
Nguyen 14 | 534 | 279 | 255 | 279/0; 255/0 | NA | Younger patients in BGC group, higher afibrillation in BGC, lower hypertension in BGC | Post-Hoc analysis of TRACK Registry | Anticipated life expectancy of 3 months. Large vessel occlusion treated with TREVO. Only anterior circulation strokes included in BGC subanalysis | Moderate |
BGC, balloon guide catheter; NIHSS, NIH Stroke Scale.