ISCHAEMIC THROMBECTOMY IN A TERTIARY FACILITY IN KENYA

Abstract

Introduction: Endovascular mechanical stroke thrombectomy has now become the standard of care for treatment of acute ischaemic stroke in select patients within the first 24 hours after the event.  We present the initial data over 18 months detailing the initial experience of endovascular mechanical thrombectomy for stroke in Kenya including indications, methods and outcomes from a single institution. Methods: This is case series of 20 patients treated at a tertiary referral centre for acute ischaemic stroke. Demographic, in-hospital and outcome data using the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) at 6 months was collected.  Results: The study comprised of 20 patients treated between 2016-2020 via endovascular mechanical thrombectomy. Mean follow up was 6 months (Range 0.5-2yrs). Overall mortality was 14 %, with 65 % patients being functionally independent at 6 months. Conclusions: Endovascular therapy is feasible in the African context and patients would benefit as elsewhere in the world.