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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article

Front. Neurol.

Sec. Stroke

Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1625236

Systematic Evaluation of Predictive Models for Futile Recanalization Before Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Provisionally accepted
cheng  chencheng chen1,2蕾  刘蕾 刘3xiaoling  liuxiaoling liu4ya  tanya tan5*
  • 1Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
  • 2Department of Pain, Suining Central Hospital, China
  • 3Department of Gastroenterology, West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
  • 4Department of Rehabilitation, Suining First People's Hospital, chengdu, China
  • 5Department of Geriatrics, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

Abstract Objective: To systematically review existing predictive models for futile recanalization after mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke, in order to provide a basis for treatment decision-making. Methods: Relevant studies on predictive models of futile recanalization after mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases from inception to May 5, 2024. Reference lists were also manually searched as supplements. Two researchers independently performed the literature search, screening, and data extraction, and conducted risk of bias and quality assessments. Because most included studies did not provide 95% confidence intervals or standard errors of AUC values, a formal quantitative meta-analysis of model performance was not feasible. Instead, we conducted a stratified descriptive synthesis of AUC values according to modeling approach (traditional regression vs. machine learning/deep learning). Results: Thirteen studies were included, encompassing 23 predictive models for futile recanalization. Variables used in the models mainly involved baseline clinical and imaging features. The most frequently included predictors were age, NIHSS score, baseline mRS score, and baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS). The AUC of the models ranged from 0.650 to 0.981, with 11 models reporting AUC values ≥0.8, indicating high predictive performance. Conclusion: Predictive models for futile recanalization after mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke are still under development. While many models exhibit good discrimination, they commonly face a high risk of bias. Future research should emphasize external validation and optimization of existing models to improve their performance, reduce bias, and promote clinical implementation.

Keywords: Acute ischemic stroke, Large vessel occlusion, Mechanical thrombectomy, futile recanalization, predictive model, Systematic review

Received: 08 May 2025; Accepted: 07 Oct 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 chen, 刘, liu and tan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: ya tan, 751760466@qq.com

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