Posterior circulation stroke from diagnosis to management, including recent data on thrombectomy for basilar artery occlusion from the BAOCHE and ATTENTION trials

摘要

Posterior circulation stroke accounts for one-fifth of all strokes, but despite this, it has been a neglected area. It can present considerable challenges in diagnosis, and there are fewer studies examining optimal treatment compared with anterior circulation stroke. This month’s issue of IJS attempts to address this balance. We have a particular focus on posterior circulation stroke with coverage of areas ranging from diagnosis, through acute treatment and thrombectomy, to secondary prevention. This initiative is particularly opportune with the recent announcement of two positive studies of thrombectomy for basilar artery occlusion (BAO).