What is the effect of mechanical thrombectomy on elderly patients? 
Mechanical thrombectomy has a favorable effect over standard care for elderly patients aged 80 years or older, according to a pooled patient-level analysis from 5 recent randomized trials. A meta-analysis of 5 RCTs showed a favorable effect with mechanical thrombectomy over standard care without heterogeneity of effect across patient age subgroups. However, the number of patients in these trials who were 90 years of age was very small, and the benefit of mechanical thrombectomy over standard care in patients 90 years of age is not clear. As with any treatment decision in an elderly patient, consideration of comorbidities and risks should factor into the decision-making for mechanical thrombectomy.