Endovascular recanalization of acute atherothrombotic carotid artery occlusion holds up progressive stroke

In acute carotid artery occlusion, hemodynamic compromise in addition to artery–artery thromboembolism is the mechanism of ischemia that may lead to a progressive clinical course with enlarging infarcts. The natural course of carotid artery occlusion with a progressive stroke is unfavorable with only about 10% of patients making a good recovery. We report on two patients in whom emergency recanalization of acute carotid artery occlusion with self-expanding stents restored cerebral blood flow and held up progressive stroke.There are no potential conflicts of interest.     

急性前循环大血管闭塞伴颈内动脉扭曲缺血性脑卒中血管内治疗

目的 探讨血管内治疗急性前循环大血管闭塞伴颈内动脉扭曲的缺血性脑卒中临床效果.方法 回顾性分析2016年10月至2019年10月在苏北人民医院接受血管内治疗的17例急性前循环大血管闭塞伴颈内动脉扭曲缺血性脑卒中患者临床资料.记录手术时间(股动脉穿刺至再灌注时间)、闭塞部位.采用改良溶栓治疗脑梗死(mTICI)血流分级评...     

锁骨下动脉闭塞机械再通的方法研究

目的研究锁骨下动脉闭塞血管内机械再通方法和疗效。方法选择32例症状性锁骨下动脉闭塞患者行血管内机械再通治疗,观察再通率及疗效。结果32例锁骨下动脉闭塞患者中,用不同方法成功完成血管内机械再通后行血管内支架成形术,术后全部患者后循环缺血症状和上肢缺血症状明显改善。结论采用适当方法行机械再通治疗锁骨下动脉闭塞安全、可行。     

Rheolytic thrombectomy of the occluded internal carotid artery in the setting of acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute thromboembolic stroke complicated by ipsilateral carotid occlusion may present both mechanical and inflow-related barriers to effective intracranial thrombolysis. We sought to review our experience with a novel method of mechanical thrombectomy, in such cases, using the Possis AngioJet system, a rheolytic thrombectomy device. METHODS: A review of our interventional neuroradiology database revealed three patients in whom an occluded cervical internal carotid artery was encountered during endovascular treatment for acute stroke and in whom thrombectomy was attempted, using the 5F Possis AngioJet thrombectomy catheter. The medical records and radiographic studies of these patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Three patients were identified (ages, 52--84 years). Two patients had isolated occlusion of the internal carotid artery; in one patient, thrombus extended down into the common carotid artery. Treatment was initiated within 190 to 360 minutes of stroke onset. Thrombectomy of the carotid artery was deemed necessary because of poor collateral flow to the affected hemisphere (chronic contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion [one patient] and thrombus extending to the carotid "T" [one patient]) or inability to pass a microcatheter through the occluded vessel (one patient). Adjunctive therapy included pharmacologic thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (all patients), carotid angioplasty and stenting (two patients), and middle cerebral artery angioplasty (one patient). Patency of the carotid artery was reestablished in two patients, with some residual thrombus burden. In the third patient, the device was able to create a channel through the column of thrombus, allowing intracranial access. CONCLUSION: Rheolytic thrombectomy shows potential for rapid, large-burden thrombus removal in cases of internal carotid artery thrombosis, allowing expedient access to the intracranial circulation for additional thrombolytic therapy.     

Decreased hyperintense vessels on FLAIR images after endovascular recanalization of symptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion

Background and purpose

Hyperintense vessels (HV) on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images were assumed to be explained by slow antegrade or retrograde leptomeningeal collateral flow related to extracranial or intracranial artery steno-occlusion. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of recanalization after endovascular therapy of symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion on the presence of HV.

Methods

Eleven patients with symptomatic ICA occlusion were retrospectively enrolled. Changes in the HV on FLAIR images were examined in affected hemisphere of each patient after successful treatment with endovascular recanalization (angioplasty, n = 3; stent-assisted angioplasty, n = 8). The relationship between postoperative changes in the HV and Thrombolysis In Cerebral Ischemia (TICI) scale (I-III) was assessed.

Results

After operation, HV of the 11 affected hemispheres were showed to be decreased (n = 3) or disappeared (n = 8) in treated side. The median interval between pre- and postoperative MRI examinations was 97.0 h (range, from 69. to 48.7 h). Of the 8 patients with disappeared HV, 7 achieved high TICI grade flow (III) and 1 had relatively low TICI grade flow (IIc) in treated side. However, all the 3 patients with decreased HV were found to be relatively low TICI grade flow (IIc).

Conclusion

Our data indicate that endovascular recanalization of ICA occlusion was effective for decreasing HV. Postoperative decrease in HV can be considered as a marker for hemodynamic improvement.     

Simultaneous mechanical thrombectomy for bilateral acute internal carotid artery occlusion

Acute bilateral internal carotid occlusion was a very rare disease with a very poor prognosis. Clinical case reports according to the literature showed that mechanical thrombectomy was the most optimal treatment. We reported a clinical case of successful treatment with simultaneous thrombectomy in both occluded carotid arteries. A 62-year-old woman was admitted at our hospital within three hours of stroke onset secondary to an acute simultaneously bilateral carotid artery occlusion. On admission, her NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) was 32. Non-contrast computed tomography right after that showed hyperacute infarction lesions in both hemispheres with right inferior temporal and insular cortex (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score – ASPECTS 8) and left putamen (ASPECTS 9). Her medical history included paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, prior ischemic stroke, pacemaker due to sick sinus syndrome. Her pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale score was 0 that she was fully recovered from previous stroke 4 months ago thanks to successful thrombectomy of the right internal carotid arteries (ICA). This time, the patient underwent again the simultaneous bilateral mechanical thrombectomy of both occluded ICA. The complete recanalization achieved on both sides with recanalization level of TICI-3 (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction) only in 38 mins after the groin puncture. She showed dramatic recovery and was discharged on day 28 with a Rankin Scale score of 2. Mechanical thrombectomy on bilateral ICA performed simultaneously will helps shorten the reperfusion time compared to the alternative one and thus, provides a better prognosis in acute ischemic stroke.Keyword: Embolic stroke, Internal, Carotid artery, Thrombectomy     

Endovascular recanalization of acute intracranial vertebrobasilar artery occlusion using local fibrinolysis and additional balloon angioplasty

Introduction  

Vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (VBO) produces high mortality and morbidity due to low recanalization rate utilization in endovascular therapy. The use of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) to improve recanalization rate additional to local intra-arterial fibrinolysis (LIF) was investigated in this study. Results obtained following recanalization therapy in acute intracranial VBO are reported.     

Emergency carotid artery stent placement in patients with acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An effective intervention has not yet been established for patients with acute ischemic stroke who present with serious neurologic symptoms due to occlusion or a high-grade stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The aim of our retrospective study was to investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of emergency carotid artery stent placement to improve neurologic symptoms and clinical outcome. METHODS: Of 896 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to our institution within 7 days of onset from July 2000 to June 2003, 17 patients (1.9%) with occlusion or a high-grade stenosis of the ICA underwent emergency carotid artery stent placement. We reviewed their records for neurologic outcome, per the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, before and at 7 days after stent placement; clinical outcome, per the modified Rankin Scale score (mRS), at 90 days; frequency of procedure-related complications within 30 days; and recurrence rate of ipsilateral ischemic stroke within 90 days. RESULTS: Carotid lesions were dilated completely in all patients. Median NIHSS scores before emergency stent placement and at 7 days were 12 and 5, respectively, showing significant improvement (P < .01, Wilcoxon rank sum test). Ten patients (59%) had favorable outcomes (mRS score 0-1) at 90 days. Irreversible complications occurred in two patients (12%): distal embolism in one and intracerebral hemorrhage in the other. No ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurred. CONCLUSION: Emergency carotid artery stent placement can improve the 7-day neurologic outcome and may improve the 90-day clinical outcome in selected patients with ischemic stroke.     

颅内外缺血性多血管病变的介入治疗选择

目的：通过选择性介入治疗颅内外缺血性多血管狭窄性病变,评价多血管病变介入治疗的安全性。方法：对150例颅内外缺血性多血管病变介入治疗的相关资料进行系统性回顾。结果：1150例多血管病变者,双侧颈内动脉同时狭窄〉70%者47例;单侧颈内动脉狭窄并单（或双）椎动脉狭窄〉70%者61例;双侧椎动脉狭窄〉70%者23例;单侧血管颅内外串联病变均需处理者19例。2共成功植入支架218枚,围手术期并发症5例（3.33%）,126例患者术后6-12个月随访无短暂性脑缺血发作及新发脑梗死。结论：通过对颅内外缺血性多血管狭窄性病变的介入治疗选择,可减少围手术期及远期并发症。     

血管内治疗颈内动脉颅外段伴同侧颅内动脉急性串联闭塞

目的探讨颈内动脉颅外段伴同侧颅内动脉急性串联闭塞患者血管内治疗方法 ,评估其疗效和安全性。方法回顾性分析2015年1月至2019年12月在南阳市中心医院接受血管内治疗的63例颈内动脉颅外段伴同侧颅内动脉急性串联闭塞患者临床资料。根据治疗方式不同,分为顺行再通组(n=41)和逆行再通组(n=22)。采用改良溶栓治疗脑梗死(mTICI)血流分级判断术后血管再通程度,改良Rankin量表(mRS)评分评估术后90 d临床预后。结果两组患者年龄、性别、伴高血压病、伴糖尿病、伴心房颤动、吸烟史、术前美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分、术前Alberta卒中项目早期CT评分(ASPECTS)、脑卒中病因等差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。顺行再通组、逆行再通组分别有16例(39.0%)、15例(68.2%)接受急诊颈内动脉起始段支架植入(P=0.027),穿刺至再通时间分别为(138+55) min、(120+47) min(P<0.01),90 d恢复良好(mRS评分≤2分)分别有17例(41.5%)、15例(68.2%)(P=0.043),差异均有统计学意义。结论血管...     

Spontaneous thrombosis of a giant intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm and ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusion

A 75-year-old man who had suffered from right visual disturbance for 10 years suddenly experienced right cavernous sinus syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a giant thrombosed aneurysm in the right cavernous sinus extending to the right middle cranial fossa. Digital subtraction angiography disclosed occlusion of the right internal carotid artery at the petrous portion and good cross filling in the right-sided circulation through the anterior communicating artery. There was no filling of the aneurysm. In this case, the mechanism of parent artery occlusion is unclear, but direct compression and stretching of the parent artery by the aneurysm may be involved.     

支架机械再通术治疗急性期缺血性脑卒中

目的 初步评价支架机械再通术治疗急性期缺血性脑卒中的疗效及安全性.方法 回顾性分析支架机械再通术治疗的12例急性期缺血性脑卒中患者的临床资料,其中前循环病变10例,后循环病变2例.结果 11例患者支架成功释放(成功率92%),支架置入术后闭塞血管均得到不同程度再通,完全再通(TIMI 3级)率为58.3%(7/12),...     

血管内支架置入治疗高危颈动脉狭窄

目的　评价伴对侧颈内动脉闭塞的高危颈内动脉狭窄病人血管内支架治疗的疗效和安全性。方法　 8例不适合颈动脉内膜剥脱的高危颈内动脉狭窄病人接受了血管内支架置入治疗。术前颈内动脉平均狭窄程度为 (85 2± 9 4) % (70 %～ 98% )。术前和术后 2 4h采用NIHSS评分 ,术前和术后 3个月采用改良Rakin评分标准对这些病人进行神经功能评分。术后随访 6～ 1 4个月。结果　术中造影证实 8枚支架均放置成功 ,残余狭窄程度 (5 3± 2 2 ) % (5 %～ 9% ) ,管腔狭窄程度较术前明显改善 (t=4 79,P <0 0 0 1 )。术中没有发生与手术相关的并发症 ,术后 2 4h病人的NIHSS神经功能评分保持在术前水平 [(2 5± 2 4)分 ] ;术后 3个月 ,改良Rakin神经功能评分为 (1 1 3± 0 99)分 ,同术前 (1 2 5± 1 2 8)分比较差异无显著性意义 (T =1 89,P >0 0 5)。术后随访 6～ 1 4个月 ,除 1例偶发一过性脑缺血发作 (TIA)外 ,其他病人未再出现TIA和新的中风。结论　血管内支架置入术是治疗高危颈内动脉狭窄安全、有效的治疗手段     

Endovascular stent-assisted thrombolysis in acute occlusive carotid artery dissection

Introduction  

Internal carotid artery dissection with tandem internal carotid and middle cerebral artery occlusion may be responsible for large cerebral infarction that carries a general poor prognosis. Recanalization of internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection by stent-assisted thrombolysis has been recently proposed. We report two cases of acute symptomatic ICA dissection with tandem occlusion successfully treated with emergent endovascular stent-assisted thrombolysis using new self-expandable intracranial stents.     

Endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke: current indications

Endovascular stroke therapy is an effective means of achieving reperfusion in stroke patients with proximal cerebral artery occlusions. However, current guideline recommendations express uncertainty regarding the clinical efficacy of catheter-based treatments, given the lack of supportive trial data. A critical problem is that it remains unclear which patients will benefit from endovascular therapy. As such, patient selection is likely highly variable in clinical practice. This article will review the existing data to discuss the clinical and imaging factors that are relevant to patient outcomes, and which may be used to guide endovascular treatment decisions. Anterior circulation strokes represent the primary focus of this review.