动脉内溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑梗死

目的　观察动脉内溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑梗死的临床效果 ,并分析影响预后的因素。方法　对 32例发病在 2～ 2 0h内的急性缺血性脑梗死患者进行动脉内溶栓治疗。尿激酶平均用量 6 5万U。患者病情在入院时由神经科医师以美国国立卫生研究院卒中分数 (NIHSS)综合评分。临床结果评价在溶栓后 3个月进行 ,按改良的Rakin分数 (MRS)分为好结果 (MRS 0～ 3)、差结果 (MRS 4～ 6 )两类。结果　灌注溶栓治疗后脑血管造影复查 ,闭塞血管再通率达 6 2 .5 % ,其中闭塞时间 6h内的 1 4例中 ,部分或完全再通 1 3例 ,闭塞时间在 6～ 2 0h的 1 8例中 ,部分或完全再通 7例。 2 0例患者 (6 2 .5 % )为好结果 ,1 2例 (37.5 % )为差结果 ,其中 2例死亡。 2例 (6 .2 5 % )发生症状性脑出血。良好的预后与入院时NIHSS评分 <2 0 (P <0 .0 1 )及血管再通 (P <0 .0 2 5 )密切相关 ,而血管再通又与开始溶栓时间 <6h有关 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　动脉内溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑梗死是一种安全有效的方法 ,可使大部分患者闭塞动脉再通 ,提高临床治疗效果。血管闭塞时间越短 ,疗效越佳     

急性颈内动脉系统脑梗死的局部动脉溶栓治疗

目的　检验局部注射尿激酶动脉溶栓治疗急性颈内动脉系统脑梗死的安全性和疗效。方法　分析 5 4例接受局部动脉溶栓治疗的颈内动脉系统急性脑梗死患者 ,其中颈内动脉主干闭塞 3例(5 .6 %) ,大脑中动脉主干及分支闭塞 46例 (85 .2 %) ,大脑前动脉闭塞 5例 (9.2 %)。结果　预后好的患者共有 41例 (75 .9%) ,血管再通程度 >5 0 %39例 (72 .2 %) ,再通程度 <5 0 %的 15例 (2 7.8%)。颅内出血率为 2 0 .4%,病死率为 7.4%。结论　局部动脉溶栓是一种有效的治疗方法 ,可以提高血管再通率 ,改善脑梗死患者的预后。     

动脉溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑梗死的长期疗效

目的 :评价动脉溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑梗死的长期疗效及并发症。材料和方法 :对 14例发病在 6h内的急性缺血性脑梗死患者行颈动脉灌注治疗。血管再通程度根据TIMI分类。临床结果评价在溶栓后 3 0d进行 ,根据ModifiedRankScore (MRS)分为好结果 (MRS 0～Ⅲ )、差结果 (MRSⅣ～Ⅵ )两类。结果 :7例患者为TIMI 0～Ⅰ ,溶栓后 6例患者部分 /完全再通 ,1例未再通 ;另 7例患者为TIMIⅡ ,溶栓后除 1例外均完全再通。溶栓后 3 0d ,14患者中 12例为好结果 ,2例死亡 ,其中 1例死于脑出血。经平均 18个月的随访 (0 .5～ 2a) 12例生存患者均为好结果。结论 :动脉溶栓对发病 6h内的急性缺血性脑梗死是可行安全的 ,能明显降低死亡率和改善预后。对溶栓前脑动脉未完全闭塞患者长期效果尤佳。     

急性脑梗死患者超选择性局部动脉溶栓治疗

目的　观察超选择性动脉溶栓治疗急性脑梗死的安全性和疗效。方法　分析 6 1例超选择性局部动脉溶栓治疗的急性脑梗死患者 ,其中颈内动脉主干闭塞的 4例 (6 .6 % ) ,大脑中动脉主干及分支闭塞 4 8例 (78.7% ) ,大脑前动脉闭塞 5例 (8.2 % ) ,椎基底动脉闭塞 4例 (6 .6 % )。结果　预后好的患者共有 4 6例 (75 .4 % ) ,血管再通程度 >5 0 %的 4 4例 (72 .1% ) ,再通程度 <5 0 %的 17例 (2 7.9% )。颅内出血率 19.6 % ,病死率 6 .6 %。结论　超选择性局部动脉溶栓是一种有效的治疗方法 ,它可以提高血管再通率 ,改善脑梗死患者的预后。     

应用尿激酶动脉内溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑卒中105例临床观察

目的探讨应用尿激酶动脉内溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑卒中的安全性和有效性。方法对105例急性缺血性脑卒中患者在起病后2～24 h内进行超选择性动脉内尿激酶溶栓,尿激酶用量50～120万单位(平均85万单位)。结果 105例急性缺血性脑卒中中,颈内动脉系统血管闭塞69例,椎-基底动脉系统闭塞19例,脑血管造影未见明显异常17例;经动脉内溶栓治疗后,闭塞的颈内动脉系统再通率为63.8%(44/69),椎-基底动脉系统再通率为63.2%(12/19)。治疗后第7天和第14天神经功能评分分别为:(13.05±8.10)、(8.82±6.00)分,与治疗前的(18.86±8.20)分比较,差异均有统计学意义(t=2.87、2.39,P<0.01);治疗后ADL评分第7天和第14天分别为:(1.75±1.37)、(3.50±1.29)分,与治疗前的(4.82±1.37)分比较,差异均有统计学意义(t=2.52、2.44,P<0.01)。术后随访1年,临床症状完全缓解或明显好转为72.7%(64/88),并发脑出血为3.4%(3/88),消化道出血为11.4%(10/88)。结论应用尿激酶动脉内溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑卒中疗效好、见效快、并发症少。     

rt-PA动脉内溶栓治疗急性脑梗死的临床研究

目的观察重组组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(rt-PA)动脉内溶栓(IAT)治疗急性脑梗死的疗效及并发症,分析预后相关因素。方法对12例发病后20h内的急性缺血性脑梗死患者行IAT治疗。血管再通程度根据“急性心肌梗死溶栓标准”(TIMI)分类。临床结果评价在溶栓后20d进行,根据改良的Rank分数(MRS)分为良好(MRS0～3)、不良(MRS4～6)两类。结果溶栓前1例为TIMI1,11例为TIMI0。溶栓后9例闭塞血管部分／完全再通,3例未再通。8例患者结果良好;4例不良结果;其中2例死亡。发生症状性脑出血1例,经治疗恢复良好。结论rt-PA用于急性脑梗死动脉溶栓,是安全可行的。     

缺血性脑卒中超早期静脉溶栓治疗

目的 :评价超早期尿激酶静脉溶栓疗法对急性缺血性脑卒中的疗效和安全性。材料和方法 :随机选择 2 0例急性缺血性脑卒中患者 ,发病时间在 6h以内 ,半小时之内静脉滴注尿激酶 15 0× 10 4U/人 ,溶栓前、溶栓后 15min及 2 4h分别做血管造影检查 ,并记录比较患者溶栓前后临床神经功能缺损评分 (欧洲脑卒中评分 )及治疗 90天研究终点时的BarthelIndex和改良RankinScale。结果 :大脑中动脉闭塞 8例 ,6例完全再通 ,1例部分再通 ;大脑前动脉闭塞 1例 ,完全再通 ;颈内动脉闭塞 6例 ,3例部分开通 ,3例未通 ;豆纹动脉闭塞的 5例 ;4例临床完全恢复。本组病例中 2例继发症状性脑出血。有 3例患者死亡 ,死亡率为 15 %。结论 :超早期静脉溶栓可以使闭塞的血管再通 ,改善患者预后 ,但必需严格把握适应证 ,否则会增加脑出血的发病率及患者的死亡率。     

补救性支架植入治疗急性缺血性脑卒中13例北大核心CSCD

目的探讨支架植入作为补救性措施治疗急性缺血性脑卒中的有效性与安全性。方法回顾性分析13例大脑前循环大血管闭塞发病8 h内并接受补救性支架植入治疗的急性缺血性脑卒中患者临床资料。所有患者治疗前均经其它再通术式(静脉溶栓、动脉溶栓、Penumbra装置吸栓、Solitaire支架取栓)未果。根据脑梗死溶栓(TICI)治疗后血流分级评价血管再通,记录围手术期出血及梗死并发症。根据美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分评价术后1周神经功能改善情况。根据改良Rankin量表(m RS)评分评价术后3个月预后指标。结果 13例接受补救性治疗患者共植入支架16枚,支架植入前采用Solitaire可回收支架取栓10例,Penumbra装置吸栓3例,经静脉尿激酶溶栓1例,经动脉尿激酶溶栓1例。12例(92.3%)患者闭塞血管部分或全部再通(TICI≥2B/3)。NIHSS评分由术前平均(16.15±5.81)分改善为术后1周平均(8.08±5.61)分,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后3个月,7例(53.8%)预后良好(m RS≤2),2例死亡。术后发生颅内出血2例,手术相关栓塞3例。结论颅内支架植入术作为不同组合药物溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑卒中患者血管再通的补救性措施,安全有效。     

经导管动脉内灌注尿激酶治疗急性脑动脉阻塞

目的 :探讨动脉血管内溶栓治疗急性脑动脉阻塞的疗效和价值。方法 :在DSA机下采用超选择性动脉插管灌注尿激酶治疗 48例急性脑动脉闭塞疾患。平均发病时间 2 9.6h ,尿激酶用量 80 0 0 0～ 3 0 0 0 0 0IU ,灌注时间持续 45～48min。结果 :6例患者即刻完全再通 ,3 8例部分再通 ,4例未通 ,临床有效率为 91.6%。结论 :超选择性动脉内灌注尿激酶是治疗急性脑动脉闭塞性疾病的优先选择方法。     

急性缺血性脑梗死动脉内溶栓临床疗效评价

目的评价尿激酶动脉内溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑梗死的临床疗效。方法对162例急性缺血性脑梗死患者应用尿激酶进行局部动脉内溶栓治疗,分析不同阻塞血管部位血管再通率和3个月后格拉斯哥预后评分(GOS)之间的关系。结果脑血管造影发现血管闭塞162例,其中颈内动脉系统闭塞119例(73.5%):颈内动脉(ICA)主干闭塞27例(16.7%),大脑中动脉(MCA)闭塞63例(38.9%),大脑前动脉(ACA)闭塞29例(17.9%);椎基底动脉(VBA)闭塞43例(26.5%)。溶栓后再通分别为11例,40.7%;49例,77.8%;20例,68.9%和23例53.5%。治疗后3个月恢复良好者90例(55.6%),预后差72例(44.4%)。颅内出血8例(4.9%);再灌注损伤73例(45.1%);再栓塞6例(3.1%)。分析后认为ICA主干、VBA动脉再通率较低,预后差;MCA、ACA再通率高,预后好;开始治疗时间血管再通率和临床疗效相关(相关系数r=0.86)。结论局部动脉溶栓可以明显改善脑梗死患者的预后;预后和开始治疗的时间、血管再通有相关性,大脑中、前动脉血管再通率高,预后较好;颈内动脉主干血管阻塞很难再通;椎基底动脉血管再通后症状有所改善;血管不能再通或并发脑出血预后较差。     

Endovascular Acute Stroke Treatment Performed by Vascular Interventional Radiologists: Is It Safe and Efficacious?

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of neurointerventional procedures in acute stroke patients performed by a team of vascular interventional radiologists in close cooperation with diagnostic neuroradiologists and stroke neurologists and to compare the results with those of previous reports from centres with specialised interventional neuroradiologists.

Material and Methods

A total of 39 patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion not responding to or not eligible for intravenous thrombolysis were treated with either intra-arterial thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy (Penumbra System or solitaire FR thrombectomy system, respectively) and included in our prospective study. Outcomes were measured using the modified Rankin scale after 90?days, and recanalization was assessed by thrombolysis using the myocardial infarction score.

Results

Mean patient age was 68.3?±?14.2?years; the average National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at hospital admission was 17.2 (SD?=?6.2 [n?=?38]). Successful recanalization was achieved in 74.4?% of patients. Median time from clinical onset to recanalization was 5?h 11?min. Procedure-related complications occurred in 5?% of patients, and 7.5?% had a symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Of the patients, 22.5?% died within the first 90 postprocedural days, 5?% of these from cerebral causes. Patients who were successfully recanalized had a clinical better outcome at follow-up than those in whom treatment failed. Of the patients, 35.9?% had an mRS score ≤2 after 90?days.

Conclusion

Our results are in line with those in the published literature and show that a treatment strategy with general interventional radiologists performing neurointerventional procedures in acute stroke patients with large vessel occlusions can be achieved to the benefit of patients.     

rt-PA动脉溶栓治疗急性脑梗死的疗效观察

目的分析动脉溶栓治疗急性脑梗死的安全性及疗效。方法对21例颈内动脉系统梗死患者(颈内动脉3例,大脑中动脉12例,大脑前动脉5例,豆纹动脉1例)进行rt-PA动脉溶栓治疗。治疗时间在发病后2～6h,观察术中血管再通及术后即刻、24h后分别行头颅CT或MRI扫描以明确有无颅内出血。术前及术后30d采用中国脑卒中神经功能缺损程度量表(chinese stroke scale)进行评估。结果21例患者动脉溶栓治疗中技术成功率100%。其中血管再通TMI分级2～3级16例,TMI分级0～1级5例。症状性脑出血3例,其中2例死亡。17例术后30d神经功能缺损评分减少>50%,2例<50%,死亡2例。TMI分级2～3级的血管再通患者生活状态明显优于TMI分级0～1级血管再通患者。结论急性脑梗死6h内动脉溶栓治疗比较合适,但也有并发脑出血的严重后果,开始溶栓时间越早越好。     

Solitaire AB型支架用于急性脑动脉闭塞取栓术31例

目的探讨Solitaire AB型支架用于急性脑动脉闭塞动脉取栓术的效果及安全性。方法 2010年5月至2011年5月采用Solitaire AB型支架用于急性脑动脉闭塞的动脉取栓术,共31例,其中颈内动脉闭塞6例,大脑中动脉闭塞12例,基底动脉闭塞9例,合并大脑中动脉及基底动脉闭塞1例,颈内动脉末段合并大脑中动脉闭塞3例。回顾性分析其即时取栓效果,术后出血情况,并比较其随访90 d时的MRS评分情况。结果大脑中动脉和基底动脉闭塞患者均成功再通,颈内动脉有6例(6/9)获再通。12例患者因为再通后仍存在管腔狭窄而放置支架。术后颅内出血4例(12.9%),死亡8例(25.8%)。在死亡患者中,5例责任动脉在颈内动脉,3例在基底动脉。从发病到获得再通时间超过8 h者8例,其中死亡2例,均为颈内动脉闭塞患者。90 d随访患者中,出院MRS评分预后良好(<2)的有15例(48.4%)。结论用Solitaire AB型支架进行动脉取栓对于大脑中动脉及基底动脉闭塞患者能获得较高的再通率,改善临床结局,但对颈内动脉闭塞患者效果不理想,再通率低,死亡率高。     

动脉内接触性溶栓治疗急性脑梗死时间窗选择与疗效分析

目的 探讨动脉内接触性溶栓治疗急性脑梗死的时间窗选择与疗效的关系.资料与方法 245例脑梗死均在CT检查及血管造影基础上接受选择性动脉内接触性溶栓治疗,其中在发病后6 h以内溶栓者56例,6～24 h溶栓者189例.分析两组患者的血管再通率和90天预后.结果 脑血管造影发现颈内动脉(ICA)系统闭塞173例,椎基底动脉(VBA)系统闭塞72例;溶栓后ICA系统再通113例,VBA系统再通37例.治疗后90天预后好者180例,预后差者65例.溶栓后颅内出血12例.6 h内组和6～24 h组患者血管内溶栓治疗后90天预后良好率分别为80.35 %(45/56)和71.43 %(135/189),血管再通率分别为66.07%(37/56)和59.79%(113/189),血管再通中位时间分别为67 min和73 min.结论 动脉内接触性溶栓可以明显改善脑梗死患者的预后,仅以发病时间不超过6 h作为动脉内溶栓治疗标准不够全面,应当根据病情适当放宽动脉内溶栓的时间窗.     

Endovascular Procedures versus Intravenous Thrombolysis in Stroke with Tandem Occlusion of the Anterior Circulation

PurposeStroke with tandem occlusion within the anterior circulation presents a lower probability of recanalization and good clinical outcome after intravenous (IV) thrombolysis than stroke with single occlusion. The present study describes the impact of endovascular procedures (EPs) compared with IV thrombolysis alone on recanalization and clinical outcome.Materials and MethodsThirty patients with symptom onset less than 4.5 hours and tandem occlusion within the anterior circulation were analyzed retrospectively. Recanalization was assessed per Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) classification on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or digital subtraction angiography within 24 hours. Infarct size was detected on follow-up imaging as a dichotomized variable, ie, more than one third of the territory of the middle cerebral artery. Clinical outcomes were major neurologic improvement, independent outcome (90-d modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH; per European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study criteria), and death within 7 days.ResultsPatients treated with EPs (n = 14) were significantly younger and had a history of arterial hypertension more frequently than patients treated with IV thrombolysis alone (n = 16). Recanalization (ie, TICI score 2b/3; EP, 64%; IV, 19%; P = .01), major neurologic improvement (EP, 64%; IV, 19%; P = .01), and independent outcome (mRS score ≤ 2; EP, 54% IV, 13%; P = .02) occurred more often in the EP group, whereas infarct sizes greater than one third of the MCA territory (EP, 43%; IV, 81%; P = .03) were observed less often. Rates of sICH (P = .12) and death within 7 days (P = .74) did not differ significantly.ConclusionsHigher recanalization rate, smaller infarct volume, and better clinical outcome in the EP group should encourage researchers to include this subgroup of patients in prospective randomized trials comparing IV thrombolysis versus EP in stroke.     

Balloon catheter disruption of middle cerebral artery thrombus in conjunction with thrombolysis for the treatment of acute middle cerebral artery embolism

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to prospectively assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of balloon disruption of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) by using a deflated balloon catheter combined with an intra-arterial thrombolysis for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven consecutive patients with clinical findings of acute major-vessel stroke met our criteria and underwent balloon disruption of an MCA thrombus with a deflated balloon catheter. The balloon disruption was performed with a low-profile microballoon catheter. The microballoon was inflated in the distal carotid artery and then deflated and advanced just distal to the occlusion site in the MCA. Thereafter, an intra-arterial thrombolysis of the MCA was applied. The maximum time from the onset of symptoms to the start of treatment and maximum dosage of urokinase was 6 hours and 600,000 U. The outcome was classified as good for a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 or 1, moderate for a score of 2 or 3, and poor for a score of 4 or 5. RESULTS: Complete recanalization was achieved in 5 patients and partial recanalization in 3. Three patients recovered to an mRS score of 0 or 1; 3, to scores of 2 or 3; and 1, to a score of 4. No patients died. There was no major intracerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: The penetration of the MCA with a deflated balloon catheter combined with an intra-arterial thrombolysis may be a safe and effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke.     

Combined direct percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and low-dose native tissue plasminogen activator therapy for acute embolic middle cerebral artery trunk occlusion

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In embolic middle cerebral artery (MCA) trunk occlusion, recanalization with direct percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) may be preferable to time-consuming thrombolysis. However, distal embolization with small crushed fragments is a complication of direct PTA. We prospectively evaluated combined direct PTA and low-dose native tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) therapy for acute embolic MCA trunk occlusion. METHODS: Fifteen patients underwent direct PTA. The embolus was successfully crushed in 12, who received subsequent native t-PA infusion. Direct PTA was performed with a balloon catheter, which was advanced into the occlusion site and inflated several times until recanalization was established. After PTA, 7.2 mg of native t-PA in 100 mL of isotonic sodium chloride solution was infused for 30 minutes. Neurologic status was evaluated at admission and immediately and 1 month after treatment. In all patients, follow-up CT was performed within 24 hours and 3-7 days after onset, and follow-up MR imaging, 1 month after onset. RESULTS: Direct PTA failed to crush the embolus in three of 15 patients; these three had no clinical improvement. In 11 of 12 patients, combined therapy was successful, with no technical complication. Although no symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred, one patient had a small hematoma. All patients with successful recanalization had marked clinical improvement. Although angiograms showed distal embolizations in 10, cortical infarctions were confirmed in only three at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Combined direct PTA and IV low-dose native t-PA therapy may be a safe alternative to thrombolytic therapy in some patients with embolic MCA trunk occlusion.     

Simultaneous treatment with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke within 3 hours of onset

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Because intravenous (IV) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) does not always lead to a good outcome in a considerable proportion of patients, combined IV rtPA and rescue endovascular therapy (ET) have been performed in several recent studies. However, rescue therapy after completion of IV rtPA often results in late ineffective recanalization. We examined the efficacy and safety of combined IV rtPA and simultaneous ET as primary rather than rescue therapy for hyperacute middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 29 patients eligible for IV rtPA, who were diagnosed as having MCA (M1 or M2) occlusion within 3 hours of onset, underwent thrombolysis. In the combined group, patients were treated by IV rtPA (0.6 mg/kg for 60 minutes) and simultaneous ET (intra-arterial rtPA, mechanical thrombus disruption with microguidewire, and balloon angioplasty) initiated as soon as possible. In the IV group, patients were treated by IV rtPA only.RESULTS: The improvement of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at 24 hours was 11 ± 4.8 in the combined group versus 5 ± 4.3 in the IV group (P < .001). In the combined group, successful recanalization was observed in 14 (88%) of 16 patients with no symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and 10 (63%) of 16 patients had favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0, 1) at 3 months.CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive combined therapy with IV rtPA and simultaneous ET markedly improved the clinical outcome of hyperacute MCA occlusion without significant adverse effect. Additional randomized study is needed to confirm our results.

The principal goal in treating acute ischemic stroke is rapid recanalization of occluded arteries by thrombolysis. Patients transferred to a stroke center within 1 to 2 hours of onset might be fortunate in undergoing thrombolysis by intravenous (IV) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), the sole FDA-approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke within 3 hours of onset.¹ However, particularly in major arterial occlusions, the rate of early recanalization with IV rtPA is low, approximately 10% of occluded internal carotid arteries and 30% of occluded proximal middle cerebral arteries (MCA).^2,3 Accordingly, for more than two thirds of patients with major arterial occlusions, the benefit from IV rtPA is limited mainly because of unsuccessful early recanalization by IV rtPA only.Endovascular therapy (ET) such as intra-arterial thrombolysis is reported to have higher recanalization rates than IV rtPA, though effectiveness is limited by delayed initiation of treatment and recanalization.⁴ On the basis of the concept of combining the advantages of IV (quick initiation) and intra-arterial approaches (higher recanalization rate and mechanical aids to recanalization), combination therapy with use of IV rtPA and ET has been demonstrated in several studies in which encouraging results have been reported.^5-14 However, in most of the studies, additional ET was performed as a rescue therapy, after the ineffectiveness of 30- or 60-minute-IV rtPA was confirmed by MR imaging, transcranial Doppler, or angiography. Therefore, the initiation of ET was delayed by IV rtPA for 1 to 2 hours. To maximize the chances of a full neurologic recovery, occluded arteries should be recanalized as soon as possible.^1,9,14 In this study, we examined the efficacy and safety of combined therapy with IV rtPA and simultaneous ET, not as a rescue therapy, for MCA occlusion within 3 hours of onset.     

Angiographic assessment of pial collaterals as a prognostic indicator following intra-arterial thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study examines whether anatomic extent of pial collateral formation documented on angiography during acute thromboembolic stroke predicts clinical outcome and infarct volume following intra-arterial thrombolysis, compared with other predictive factors. METHODS: Angiograms, CT scans, and clinical information were retrospectively reviewed in 65 consecutive patients who underwent thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke. Clinical data included age, sex, time to treatment, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on presentation of symptoms, NIHSS score at the time of hospital discharge, and modified Rankin scale score at time of hospital discharge. Site of occlusion, scoring of anatomic extent of pial collaterals before thrombolysis, and recanalization (complete, partial, or no recanalization) were determined on angiography. Infarct volume was measured on CT scans performed 24-48 hours after treatment. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (82%) qualified for review. Both infarct volume and discharge modified Rankin scale scores were significantly lower for patients with better pial collateral scores than those with worse pial collateral scores, regardless of whether they had complete (P < .0001) or partial (P = .0095) recanalization. Adjusting for other factors, regression analysis models indicate that the infarct volume was significantly larger (P < .0001) and modified discharge Rankin scale score and discharge NIHSS score significantly higher for patients with worse pial collateral scores. Similarly, adjusting for other factors, the infarct volume was significantly lower (P = .0006) for patients with complete recanalization than patients with partial or no recanalization. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of pial collateral formation before thrombolytic treatment can predict infarct volume and clinical outcome for patients with acute stroke undergoing thrombolysis independent of other predictive factors. Thrombolytic treatment appears to have a greater clinical impact in those patients with better pial collateral formation.