Abstract Background and aims Long-term outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and the incremental value of adjunct neuroprotective therapy remain uncertain. We performed a hypothesis-generating target-trial emulation to assess 12-month outcomes after adjunct Cerebrolysin. Methods Consecutive eligible EVT patients received Cerebrolysin 30 mL/day intravenously for 21 days starting immediately post-EVT, with a second 21-day course at days 69–90. Outcomes were compared with historical EVT-only controls using 1:1 nearest-neighbor propensity score matching on prespecified covariates. The primary endpoint was 12-month functional independence (modified Rankin Scale mRS 0–2). Secondary endpoints included 12-month ordinal mRS shift, Barthel Index (BI), and institutional care; the safety endpoint was all-cause mortality. Associations were estimated using multivariable logistic regression and proportional-odds ordinal models, with prespecified sensitivity analyses including adjustment for calendar time. Results Fifty patients per group were analyzed. Cerebrolysin was associated with higher odds of 12-month functional independence (aOR 6.10, 95%CI 1.6–22.6; p0.01) and a favorable shift across the 12-month mRS distribution (common OR 3.57, 1.4–8.9; p0.01), with directionally consistent results after calendar-time adjustment. Twelve-month mortality was 18% in both groups. Among survivors, institutional care was required in 6% of the Cerebrolysin group vs 19% of controls (unadjusted OR 0.26, 0.07–0.99). BI was higher with Cerebrolysin (median Q1–Q3 92 82–100 vs 83 73–93; p=0.01). Conclusions In highly selected EVT patients, adjunct Cerebrolysin was associated with better 12-month functional outcomes; however, residual confounding cannot be excluded. Randomized trials are needed to establish efficacy and define optimal use. Conflict of interest Jacek Staszewski: Nothing to disclose Aleksander Dębiec: nothing to disclose; Katarzyna Gniadek-Olejniczak: nothing to disclose; Piotr Piasecki: nothing to disclose
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Jacek Staszewski
National Academy of Medicine
Aleksander Dȩbiec
National Academy of Medicine
Katarzyna Agnieszka Gniadek Olejniczak
National Academy of Medicine
European Stroke Journal
National Academy of Medicine
Wojskowy Instytut Medycyny Lotniczej
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Staszewski et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
synapsesocial.com/papers/69fd7ec6bfa21ec5bbf07030 — DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/esj/aakag023.345