Abstract TMP100: Hemicraniectomy for Malignant MCA Syndrome: A Review of Functional Outcomes in Two High Volume Stroke Centers

Backgroundu0026Purpose: Despite recent landmark RCTs showing significant survival and functional outcome benefits with HCT compared with medical therapy (MT) in patients with malignant MCA infarction (MMCAI), HCT rates have not substantially increased in the US. It is difficult for patients’ families to reconcile the wishes of the patient with the possibility of poor functional outcome. We sought to evaluate early outcomes in patients with MMCAI who were treated with HCT (cases) in comparison to patients treated with MT due to the perception of procedural futility by families (controls). Subjectsu0026Methods: We evaluated in a retrospective cohort study design consecutive patients with acute MMCAI treated in two tertiary care centers during a seven-year period. Pre-treatment NIHSS, NIHSS at discharge and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at three months were documented. Functional independence (FI) and survival without severe disability (SWSD) were defined as mRS of 0-2 and 0-4 respectively. Results: A total of 66 pati...