Safety and Efficacy of Adjunctive Minocycline After Successful Endovascular Thrombectomy Recanalization for Acute Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion - A Multicenter, Prospective, Double-blind, Randomized Trial
Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) improves outcomes in patients with acute large vessel occlusion (LVO). However, despite successful recanalization rates exceeding 80%, fewer than 50% of patients achieve favorable functional outcomes at 90 days, indicating a high rate of futile recanalization. Potential mechanisms include no-reflow, reperfusion injury, and microcirculatory dysfunction, which are closely associated with post-recanalization neuroinflammation. Minocycline is a second-generation tetracycline with pleiotropic neuroprotective effects, including inhibition of microglial activation, reduction of inflammatory mediators, suppression of matrix metalloproteinases, attenuation of oxidative stress, and preservation of blood-brain barrier integrity. Prior preclinical and clinical studies suggest that minocycline may improve neurological outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. This study is a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of adjunctive minocycline in patients with acute anterior circulation LVO who achieve successful recanalization after EVT. The trial will assess whether early administration of minocycline improves functional outcomes and reduces futile recanalization.
• Age ≥18 years;
• Pre-stroke mRS score of 0-1;
• Time from symptom onset to randomization ≤24 hours, including wake-up stroke or unwitnessed stroke. Symptom onset is defined as the last known well time;
• Baseline NIHSS score of 6-25;
• ASPECTS ≥6 on non-contrast CT or DWI;
• Clinical symptoms attributable to acute occlusion at one of the following sites, confirmed by CTA, MRA, or DSA: intracranial internal carotid artery, M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery, or M2 trunk of the MCA;
• Successful recanalization defined as mTICI 2b-3 after mechanical thrombectomy, with no evidence of secondary embolization in non-target vessels; or spontaneous improvement to mTICI 2b-3 on diagnostic angiography prior to thrombectomy with no planned intervention;
• Ability of the patient or legally authorized representative to provide written informed consent.