UNC neurologists Dr. James P. Ho (lead author) and Dr. David Y. Hwang have co‑authored a new JAMA Neurology editorial analyzing three‑year results from the ATTENTION trial, one of the largest studies to date examining treatment for basilar artery occlusion (BAO)—a rare, often fatal form of stroke.
The authors highlight that endovascular therapy (EVT) continues to show meaningful, durable benefits years after treatment. Patients who received EVT were twice as likely to achieve good functional outcomes at three years compared with those who received medical management alone. They also saw higher rates of excellent recovery and independence over time.
Despite these gains, the editorial underscores that BAO remains a highly lethal condition, with significant long‑term mortality in all groups. Dr. Ho and colleagues call for further research into cognitive outcomes, aging-related recovery differences, and long-term quality‑of‑life measures to better guide stroke care and follow‑up.
Read the full article at JAMA Neurology – https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2844949