Functional outcomes after thrombectomy for ischaemic stroke in the ‘late window’ are similar for transferred patients and patients directly admitted to the treating hospital, according to a subanalysis from the DEFUSE 3 trial.

“Stroke patients presenting to non-thrombectomy centres with a reasonable imaging profile who otherwise are eligible for thrombectomy should be strongly encouraged to be transferred to a thrombectomy-capable center,” Dr Amrou Sarraj from University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, said by email. “At the same time, research is needed to improve direct access to thrombectomy in stroke patients.”