The goal of this observational study is to describe the local change in interleukin-6 (IL-6) across a blood clot in adults with acute ischemic stroke caused by anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who are undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is the level of IL-6 different in arterial blood collected beyond the clot compared with arterial blood collected before the clot during mechanical thrombectomy? * Is the trans-thrombus IL-6 difference associated with functional independence 90 days after stroke and with complications related to reperfusion injury? There is no comparison group and no experimental treatment. Researchers will compare paired blood samples collected from opposite sides of the clot in the same participant. Blood collected from a peripheral vein at hospital admission will be used only as a supportive reference for systemic inflammation. Participants will: * Receive standard mechanical thrombectomy and stroke care determined by their treating clinical team. * Have small blood samples collected at planned time points, including paired arterial blood samples collected during the thrombectomy procedure. * Have clinical and imaging information collected from their medical records and have functional status assessed 90 days after stroke. The study will not delay or change standard stroke treatment.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
50
Adults with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who undergo clinically indicated mechanical thrombectomy. All participants receive standard stroke care determined by the treating clinical team; no experimental intervention is assigned. Paired arterial blood samples are collected during thrombectomy from sites proximal and distal to the thrombus. A peripheral venous blood sample collected at hospital admission is used as a supportive systemic reference. Clinical, imaging, procedural, and 90-day functional outcome data are collected prospectively.
Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University
Xiamen, Fujian, China
Trans-Thrombus Interleukin-6 Gradient
The primary outcome is the within-participant trans-thrombus interleukin-6 (IL-6) gradient, defined as ln \[T2b/T2a\], where T2b is the IL-6 concentration in arterial plasma collected distal to the thrombus and T2a is the IL-6 concentration in arterial plasma collected proximal to the thrombus.
Time frame: During mechanical thrombectomy, before recanalization
Trans-Thrombus Interleukin-1 Beta Gradient
The primary outcome is the within-participant trans-thrombus Interleukin-1β gradient, defined as ln\[T2b/T2a\], where T2b is the Interleukin-1β concentration in arterial plasma collected distal to the thrombus and T2a is the Interleukin-1β concentration in arterial plasma collected proximal to the thrombus.
Time frame: During mechanical thrombectomy, before recanalization
Trans-Thrombus Interleukin-17 Gradient
The primary outcome is the within-participant trans-thrombus Interleukin-17 gradient, defined as ln\[T2b/T2a\], where T2b is the Interleukin-17 concentration in arterial plasma collected distal to the thrombus and T2a is the Interleukin-17 concentration in arterial plasma collected proximal to the thrombus.
Time frame: During mechanical thrombectomy, before recanalization
Trans-Thrombus Complement C3 Gradient
The primary outcome is the within-participant trans-thrombus Complement C3 gradient, defined as ln\[T2b/T2a\], where T2b is the Complement C3 concentration in arterial plasma collected distal to the thrombus and T2a is the Complement C3 concentration in arterial plasma collected proximal to the thrombus.
Time frame: During mechanical thrombectomy, before recanalization
Trans-Thrombus Complement C5a Gradient
The primary outcome is the within-participant trans-thrombus Complement C5a gradient, defined as ln\[T2b/T2a\], where T2b is the Complement C5a concentration in arterial plasma collected distal to the thrombus and T2a is the Complement C5a concentration in arterial plasma collected proximal to the thrombus.
Time frame: During mechanical thrombectomy, before recanalization
Trans-Thrombus Malondialdehyde Gradient
The primary outcome is the within-participant trans-thrombus Malondialdehyde gradient, defined as ln\[T2b/T2a\], where T2b is the Malondialdehyde concentration in arterial plasma collected distal to the thrombus and T2a is the Malondialdehyde concentration in arterial plasma collected proximal to the thrombus.
Time frame: During mechanical thrombectomy, before recanalization
Trans-Thrombus Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Gradient
The primary outcome is the within-participant trans-thrombus Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 gradient, defined as ln\[T2b/T2a\], where T2b is the Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 concentration in arterial plasma collected distal to the thrombus and T2a is the Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 concentration in arterial plasma collected proximal to the thrombus.
Time frame: During mechanical thrombectomy, before recanalization
Modified Rankin Score
The ordinal distribution of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (death).
Time frame: 90 (±14) days
Functional independence
The proportion of mRS score of 0-2 at 90 days.
Time frame: 90 (±14) days
Good Function
The proportion of mRS score of 0-3 at 90 days.
Time frame: 90 (±14) days
Early neurological improvement
The proportion of NIHSS 0-1 or ≥4 points reduction at 24 (±12) hours.
Time frame: 24 (±12) hours
Change in stroke severity
The change of NIHSS score from baseline to 7 days or at discharge (whichever comes first)
Time frame: 7 (±1) days or at discharge
Quality of life measured by EQ-5D-5L
EQ-5D-5L scale score at 90 days.
Time frame: 90 (±14) days
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