Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41603946›Full record

SynthesisClinical neuroradiology2026

Mechanical Thrombectomy in the Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke Secondary to Calcified Cerebral Emboli: a Systematic Review.

Nicholas V Pavic, Shane Zhang, Alexander G Maloof, Mobin Aber, Christie Wu, Stephen D Bacchi, Vinicius Carraro Do Nascimento, Rudy Goh

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Clinical neuroradiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Nicholas V PavicBlacktown Hospital, Blacktown, Australia. nvpavic@gmail.com.
Shane ZhangRoyal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Australia.
Alexander G MaloofPrince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Australia.
Mobin AberAdelaide University, Adelaide, Australia.
Christie WuAdelaide University, Adelaide, Australia.
Stephen D BacchiAdelaide University, Adelaide, Australia.
Vinicius Carraro Do NascimentoGold Coast University Hospital, Southport, Australia.
Rudy GohAdelaide University, Adelaide, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeMechanical thrombectomy (MT), in combination with intravenous thrombolysis, have been widely accepted as effective therapies for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) secondary to large vessel occlusion. However, the presence of calcified cerebral emboli (CCE) has been associated with worse angiographic and clinical outcomes. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MT in the management of AIS secondary to CCE.

methodsA systematic review was registered and conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (CRD420251031539). PubMed, Ovid Medline, SCOPUS, The Cochrane Library and EMBASE were searched for publications until 13th April 2025.

resultsThe search yielded 2102 publications. 14 studies met inclusion criteria (160 patients with AIS due to CCE). Two multi-centre studies reported recanalisation rates of only 57.5% and 57% respectively across 75 participants. Only 11.1-28.0% of patients in the included case series and cohort studies had a modified rankin score 2 at 3 months, suggesting that most patients did not regain functional independence following MT for CCE. MT for CCE was also associated with a 3-month mortality rate of 0-62.5%. Haemorrhagic complications were the most common adverse effect associated with MT.

conclusionThe available evidence from 14 studies elucidated poor recanalisation rates and functional outcomes when MT was used in the management of AIS secondary to CCE. However, the available evidence is primarily low-level evidence from observational studies, hence the conclusions should be interpreted with caution.

Indexed as

CalcinosisIntracranial EmbolismIschemic StrokeMechanical ThrombolysisThrombectomyHumansTreatment OutcomeCalcific embolusClot retrievalEndovascular recanalisationMechanical thrombectomy

Identifiers

PMID41603946
PMCPMC13319450

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.