ESCAPE-MeVO is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open- label study with blinded endpoint evaluation (PROBE design). Participants will be randomized to routine best medical stroke care governed by current guidelines (control group) or to EVT plus best medical care. EVT will be performed with one of the Solitaire group of intracranial stent-retriever devices (Solitaire X, Medtronic) as the first line approach according to the manufacturers' specifications for use.
Patients with clinical symptoms of acute stroke, last seen normal within the last 12 hours, and with either NIHSS ≥ 5 or NIHSS 3-5 due to disabling symptoms in the judgement of the stroke team shall undergo imaging to identify the MeVO and assess the status of the affected brain parenchyma.