Trajectory of recovery following clot retrieval-analysis of clot retrieval trials using simulation

Stroke is due to clot blocking a vessel in the brain. Recent clot retrieval trials have shown that this treatment is very effective and reduce disability at 90 days. The trajectory of recovery of motor recovery following clot retrieval is not well understood. It is not known if patients improve in a linear manner after reperfusion or in a step wise manner with subsequent slowing down in the rate of recovery. In this project we will recreate the published data by simulation using the relationship constraint between the variables described in the published papers. This step is performed by examining the randomised trials for data on stroke deficit (National Institute of Health/ NIHSS) at various time points after treatment. Following this we will analyse the trajectory of recovery by pooling together the simulated data from multiple trials. An understanding of phase of recovery at which there is plateauing in the trajectory of recovery can help to define a time at which further intervention would aid and hasten neurological recovery.