MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Michael D Hill, MD MSc FRCPC Calgary Stroke Program Professor, Dept Clinical Neurosciences Hotchkiss Brain Institute University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine Calgary, Canada Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Dr. Hill: ESCAPE examine endovascular therapy for major acute ischemic stroke. The study found that among acute stroke patients with proximal occlusions (blocked ICA or MCA), good collaterals and fast endovascular treatment, there was a substantial reduction in morbidity (24% absolute reduction) and in mortality (a 9% absolute and 50% relative reduction in death). Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report? Dr. Hill: The finding are a major and compelling validation of endovascular treatment of major ischemic stroke.  In combination with results from other studies - MRCLEAN, SWIFT-prime, EXTEND-IA, we believe that the standard of care for major acute ischemic stroke has been definitively changed. (more…)