Two methods for treating acute stroke in the back of the brain

When a major artery in the back of the brain becomes blocked during a stroke, doctors need to act quickly to restore blood flow. This trial compares two emergency procedures that doctors can use to remove the clot: contact aspiration (a suction-based approach) and stent retriever (a mechanical device that captures and removes the clot). Researchers want to know which method works better and gets blood flowing faster in these life-threatening situations.

Strokes caused by a blocked basilar artery — a major vessel at the back of the brain — are especially dangerous and have few proven treatment options. While both procedures are used in practice, there is no clear evidence from rigorous clinical trials showing which one is more effective, so this trial aims to determine the best first-line approach.