Impact of Anesthesia Type on Outcome in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) Undergoing Endovascular Treatment

Impact of General vs Local Anesthesia on Neurological Function in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Undergoing Endovascular Treatment

Recent observational studies have found an association between general anaesthesia and increased post-operative mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing endovascular treatment. It is unknown whether there is a causal relationship in this observation. The investigators are performing a large randomised trial of general versus local anaesthesia to definitively answer the question of whether anaesthetic type alters perioperative outcome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with AIS scheduled to receive emergency endovascular treatment, older than 18; the onset time is within 12 hours.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Radiological ambiguity concerning infarction and vessel occlusion.
• Additional intracerebral hemorrhage.
• Posterior circulation infraction.
• Coma on admission (Glasgow coma score less than 8).
• NIHSS less than 10 or more than 35.
• Severe agitation or seizures on admission.
• Obvious loss of airway protective reflexes and/or vomiting on admission.
• Being intubated before treatment on admission.
• Known allergy to anesthetic or analgesic.