J Clin Neurol
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Aggressive treatment of posterior-circulation occlusions is important due to the high rates of morbidity and mortality associated with these infarctions. A large administrative database was evaluated to determine the outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy and intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) for the treatment of posterior-circulation (vertebrobasilar) strokes. Outcomes were compared across age groups. ⋯ Patients requiring IV-tPA and/or mechanical thrombectomy for the treatment of posterior-circulation strokes suffer from high mortality rates. Increased age is associated with significantly higher mortality rates among posterior-circulation stroke patients who require mechanical thrombectomy.