Ischemic stroke is a major global health burden, leading to considerable mortality and long-term disability. Endovascular thrombectomy and mechanical recanalization have revolutionized acute stroke care. Nonetheless, many patients experience poor long-term neurological outcomes, which are often attributed to the no-reflow phenomenon and activation of inflammatory cascades. The perioperative period of endovascular thrombectomy, managed under either general anesthesia or conscious sedation, represents a critical window where anesthetic strategies may influence recovery through hemodynamic control and possibly immune modulation. This consensus review was generated by an international multidisciplinary expert group and synthesizes preclinical and clinical evidence to evaluate the promise of various immunomodulatory strategies for improving functional outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke following endovascular thrombectomy. Our goal is to provide a foundational reference for future research and development of novel perioperative immune therapies for patients with endovascular thrombectomy.
Cai et al. (2026) studied this question.