Intra-arterial thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke

Intra-arterial thrombolysis is a maturing treatment for acute thromboembolic stroke that shows promise in restoring cerebral blood supply. Reviewed evidence suggests that intra-arterial treatment has a longer window for treatment than intravenous t-PA and does improve outcome. A favorable outcome is dependent on careful patient selection aimed at avoiding intracranial hemorrhage. This article describes features to evaluate for patient selection and highlights factors along the treatment algorithm to maximize success. Received: 19 June 2000 Accepted: 10 July 2000     

急性脑栓塞的选择性动脉溶栓治疗

目的评价急性脑栓塞(AES)动脉溶栓疗法的有效性及安全性。方法应用尿激酶或rt-PA经股动脉选择性动脉溶栓(IAT)治疗AES患者21例,并选择同期未行溶栓治疗的AES患者42例作为对照组。比较两组间治疗后24hNIHSS评分、90d改良Rankin量表(mRS)评分、出血转化(HT)及病死率等。结果①IAT治疗后脑血管造影结果:血管总再通率为61.9%;大脑中动脉(MCA)、颈内动脉(ICA)及基底动脉(BA)再通率分别为83.3%、2/7和1/2。②治疗后24hNIHSS评分IAT组明显低于对照组(12.05±5.61比14.83±4.05,P<0.05);IAT组预后良好(mRS0～2分)比率显著高于对照组(66.7%比35.7%,P<0.05);③IAT组与对照组相比,HT发生率(28.6%比16.8%)、患者病死率(19.1%比16.7%)均无显著差异;两组均没有患者死于HT。结论IAT治疗AES可能具有较好的疗效,相对安全。     

Intra-arterial cerebral thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in a community hospital.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Advances in thrombolytic therapy, brain imaging, and neurointerventional techniques provide new therapeutic options for acute stroke. Intra-arterial thrombolysis has proved to be a potent therapeutic tool. To show that this procedure can be performed in community hospitals, we describe our experience with a group of 11 patients treated for middle cerebral artery occlusions. METHODS: Twenty-two patients seen during a period of 1 year with clinical findings of acute major-vessel stroke met screening criteria and were evaluated under an institutional review board-approved protocol. After CT scanning, 17 of those patients met strict criteria, gave informed consent, and underwent angiography. Eleven patients had M1 and M2 middle cerebral artery occlusions and received local thrombolytic therapy with urokinase. Recanalization efficacy, complications, and outcome data were compiled. RESULTS: The average score on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 22.2 at the onset of treatment and 12.5 after therapy, with 91% of patients showing neurologic improvement. Complete (TIMI 3) recanalization occurred in 73% of cases and partial recanalization (TIMI 2) in 18%. At the 90-day follow-up evaluation, 56% of patients had good outcomes (modified Rankin score, 0 to 1). One intracranial hemorrhage occurred. CONCLUSION: Intra-arterial thrombolysis can be performed in a community hospital by radiologists with interventional and neuroradiologic skills given appropriate institutional preparation.     

Intra-arterial adjuvant tirofiban after unsuccessful intra-arterial thrombolysis of acute ischemic stroke: preliminary experience in 16 patients

Introduction  

Intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis with plasminogen activator is well-known, but the use of IA tirofiban as an adjuvant for IA thrombolysis is not well-known. We investigated the feasibility of IA tirofiban as an adjuvant after unsuccessful IA recanalization with urokinase (UK) for acute ischemic stroke.     

80岁以上老年急性心肌梗死患者的临床分析

目的 了解现阶段我国80岁以上老年急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者的临床情况，住院期间的并发症及死亡率。方法 回顾性分析解放军总医院过去十年间80岁以上121例次AMI患者住院期间的临床资料。结果 以呼吸困难为首发症状的占56．9％。高血压、糖尿病、吸烟的发生率分别为57％，33．1％，24％。住院期间最多见的并发症为心律失常，占43％，其次是肺炎(25．6％)、充血性心力衰竭(23．1％)。其中只有6．6％接受了再灌注治疗。住院期间死亡率24．8％。结论 本组老年AMI发病症状不典型，高血压和糖尿病为本组老年AMI患者的主要危险因素，死亡率较高，除与年龄因素有关外，还可能与这些老年患者使用溶栓治疗较少有关。     

Intra-arterial thrombolysis using rt-PA in patients with acute stroke due to vessel occlusion of anterior and/or posterior cerebral circulation

Introduction The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in patients with acute stroke due to occlusion in the anterior or posterior circulation. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiological data of 88 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent emergency cerebral angiography for the purpose of subsequent IA thrombolysis. The neurological deficit on admission and discharge was graded using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Baseline computer tomography (CT) scans were examined for any signs indicative of cerebral ischemia. The angiographic findings were classified according to the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score for myocardial infarction. Follow-up CT scans were examined for hemorrhagic complication. Results Of the 88 patients who underwent IA thrombolysis, 63 presented with complete or partial arterial occlusion in the suspected perfusion area. In these 63 patients, the median NIHSS score dropped from 15 points on admission to 10 points at discharge. The recanalization rate was 52.6% for partial and complete reperfusion. In-hospital mortality was 20.6% (9.1% for carotid, 44.4% for basilar territory occlusion). Intracerebral bleeding (ICB) occurred in 38.6% of the patients with occlusion in the anterior circulation, resulting in these patients presenting a worse clinical outcome than those without ICB. Only minor extracranial bleedings occurred in 20.6% of patients. Patients with ICB had a significantly higher frequency of ischemic signs on the baseline CT scan. Conclusion Occlusion of a cerebral artery is present in about 75% of the patients eligible for thrombolytic therapy. Intra-arterial thrombolysis using rt-PA in patients with acute ischemic stroke can achieve re-vascularization, although ICB remains the major risk factor affecting its efficacy.     

Intra-arterial thrombolysis of acute hand ischaemia with or without microcatheter: preliminary experience and comparison with the literature

Purpose

This paper evaluates the indications, techniques, results, and complications of intra-arterial thrombolysis with or without a multihole microcatheter in three cases of acute hand ischaemia in comparison with the literature.

Materials and methods

Three men (mean age 39 years) with symptoms and signs of acute hand ischaemia (i.e. pain, pallor, cyanosis, decreased motor or sensory function) were studied with Doppler ultrasound and selective arteriography, which demonstrated acute clotting of wrist and/or hand arteries. They therefore underwent intra-arterial thrombolysis with the administration of urokinase and vasodilators and heparin if necessary, with (n=2) or without (n=1) multihole microcatheters.

Results

In all three cases, partial or complete recanalisation of the occluded arteries was achieved, with almost complete remission of clinical symptoms and good recovery of hand function.

Conclusions

Percutaneous intra-arterial thrombolysis is an effective therapeutic approach in cases of acute hand ischaemia and is a valid alternative to surgical thrombectomy. Multihole microcatheters allow the thrombolytic agent to be distributed more evenly into the clot and may help to reduce reactive arterial spasm.     

支架取栓与动脉溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑卒中比较

目的 探讨Solitaire AB支架取栓联合动脉内溶栓治疗急性缺血性脑卒中(AIS)的效果及安全性.方法 选取2010年6月至2015年6月采用动脉内治疗AIS患者60例,其中30例接受微导管置于阻塞血管近端或阻塞血管血栓内的尿激酶溶栓治疗(单纯溶栓组),30例接受Solitaire AB支架取栓联合微导管注入尿激酶溶栓治疗(支架取栓组).观察两组治疗前后美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分、术后血管再通率、颅内出血率、90 d内病死率及90 d后改良Rankin量表(mRS)评分.结果 支架取栓组和单纯溶栓组治疗前、治疗后14 d NIHSS评分分别为(21.89±5.62)分、(7.78±2.36)分(P＜0.001)和(18.40±6.59)分、(7.00±2.28)分(P＜0.001),组间差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05);血管再通率分别为86.67％ (26/30)、63.33％(19/30)(X2=4.356,P＜0.05);颅内出血发生率分别为10.00％(3/30)、13.33％ (4/30)(x2=0.162,P＞0.05);90 d内病死率分别为13.33％ (4/30)、16.67％(5/30) (x2=0.131,P＞0.05);术后90 d预后良好(mRS评分＜2)分别为66.67％ (20/30)、36.67％ (11/30)(x2=5.406,P＜0.05).结论 Solitaire AB支架取栓联合动脉内溶栓治疗大血管闭塞的AIS后血管再通率及90 d预后均显著优于单纯动脉内溶栓治疗,但远期疗效及安全性尚需更多病例的多中心前瞻性随机对照研究验证.     

Intraarterial thrombolysis for treatment of acute stroke: experience in 26 patients with long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Since the approval of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke, great interest has been generated in cerebral fibrinolysis. Our purpose was to assess long-term outcome and hemorrhagic risk in patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke treated with intraarterial urokinase. METHODS: Twenty-six patients were treated within 6 hours of ictus; of these, 21 were followed up for an average of 23 months. Angiographic reperfusion was classified according to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grades. The Rankin Scale (RS) and the modified Barthel Index (mod BI) were used as outcome measures (good outcome: RS = 0-2, mod BI = 16-20; poor outcome: RS = 3-5, mod BI < or = 15). RESULTS: Ten of the 21 patients (average age, 48 years) had a good outcome; three (average age, 71 years) had a poor outcome; eight patients (average age, 78 years) died. Partial/complete (successful) recanalization was observed in 11 of 26 patients and minimal or no (unsuccessful) recanalization in 15. Recanalization favored a better outcome: nine of 21 had successful recanalization, with a good outcome in seven; 12 of 21 had unsuccessful reperfusion, with poor outcome/death in nine. Poor outcome was noted in five patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) bifurcation occlusions, four of whom had unsuccessful recanalization and poor outcome or death. Hemorrhage occurred in 10 of the 26 patients, with clinical deterioration in three. The average dose of urokinase was higher in the hemorrhage group, and mortality was higher in patients who hemorrhaged. CONCLUSION: Intraarterial thrombolysis is feasible in the setting of acute stroke. Successful reperfusion is associated with a better outcome, and the prevalence of hemorrhage does not exceed that which occurs in the natural history of embolic stroke. Poor outcome or death is associated with nonrecanalization, older age, hemorrhage, and ICA bifurcation occlusions.     

Results of iliac artery stent placement in patients younger than 50 years of age

PURPOSE: To determine long-term outcome in patients 50 years of age or younger treated with iliac artery stent placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 412 patients who underwent iliac artery stent placement during a 62-month study period were reviewed retrospectively. Forty-two patients younger than age 50 (mean age = 45 y) at the time of stent placement were included in the study population. Presenting symptoms included claudication (47%), rest pain (17%), ulceration/tissue loss (31%), and blue toe syndrome (5%). Anatomic, hemodynamic, and clinical success rates of the stent placement procedure were assessed. Stent patency rates were calculated by life-table methods. RESULTS: Fifty-nine iliac lesions were treated with stents; 62% of patients underwent treatment of a single lesion whereas 38% had multiple lesions treated. Thirty-one percent were treated after a failed angioplasty procedure and 69% were treated with stent placement primarily. After stent placement, 34 patients (82%) experienced symptomatic relief, although eight of these patients (19%) underwent a planned ipsilateral infrainguinal bypass procedure during the same hospitalization. During follow-up, five patients (12%) required a bypass procedure as a result of stent failure and two patients (5%) required below-knee amputation. Seven patients (17%) required endovascular stent revision, with none requiring additional surgery. At 1, 2, and 3 years, the primary patency rates were 86%, 72%, and 65%, and the secondary patency rates were 90%, 88%, and 88%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Iliac stent placement successfully addresses the presenting symptoms of young patients with peripheral vascular disease and results in patency rates that are similar to those reported in a more general population. With appropriate postprocedural surveillance, restenosis can be addressed in many patients with use of endovascular techniques, limiting the need for surgical revision.     

88例缺血性脑卒中患者动脉溶栓治疗回顾性研究

目的 总结动脉溶栓治疗的影响因素,为动脉内溶栓治疗的合理应用提供理论依据.方法 通过回顾我中心88例急性缺血性脑卒中动脉内溶栓治疗住院病例,采集患者病史、起病过程的特点、发病与动脉溶栓的间隔时间、有无出血、是否死亡以及治疗之后(包括治疗后即刻、治疗后24 h)患者主要神经功能的变化过程,我们所选用的神经功能包括肌力、眼震及意识水平.脑血管造影回顾则采集动脉溶栓前后DSA血管形态的异常发现及变化,以及尿激酶用量.此后对上述指标进行整理,统计学处理.结果 本组患者,平均溶栓时间为5.8(5.8±3.3)h;DSA资料丢失20例,造影阴性率为14.7%,血管再通率(部分及完全再通)为36.2%,溶栓后早期(＜24 h)症状加重24例(27.3%).起病后6 h内接受动脉内溶栓的急性缺血性脑卒中患者在治疗后24 h内加重率为31.7%,与6 h以上接受治疗者相比(18.5%)有明显差异(P=0.01);而与年龄、起病特点、溶栓后神经功能评分及血管造影结果及血管再通率间均无统计学差异.结论 在不分辨前后循环所有患者群体内,急性脑缺血性脑卒中的动脉溶栓时间窗可以延长至6 h,却面临更高的早期加重率.所以对于早期加重的原因揭示及有效处理,可以改善动脉溶栓的治疗效果.     

Self-rated changes in cognition and piloting skills: a comparison of younger and older airline pilots

BACKGROUND: The relationship of chronological age to self-rated changes in cognition has been studied extensively. However, the relationship of these changes to age-related changes in piloting skills is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine whether airline pilots report age-related changes in cognitive abilities, and whether these changes are related to self-rated changes in piloting skills. METHODS: A total of 1310 airline pilots (28-59 yr, mean age = 45.5 yr; mean total flight time = 11,992 h) currently employed by a major U.S. commercial air carrier participated in the study. A 13-item Aviation Experience Survey (AES) was completed by each pilot, using 5-point Likert ratings and yes/no responses comparing current cognitive abilities (e.g., concentration, reaction speed) and piloting skills (e.g., piloting in adverse weather, decision making while flying) with those of 10 yr ago. RESULTS: Cognitive abilities and piloting skills were more likely to be rated as "better' or "much better" than 10 yr ago by pilots age 39 or under than by pilots in their 40s and 50s, who were more likely to rate their abilities and skills as "the same." Fewer than 20% of pilots in any age group rated their cognitive abilities or piloting skills as "worse" or "much worse" than 10 yr ago. Pilots who reported more anxiety or stress while flying reported more negative changes in abilities, skills, and health status regardless of age. CONCLUSIONS: Self-ratings of cognition and piloting skills vary by age, but older pilots are not more likely to report negative changes in their abilities and skills than younger pilots. Further research is needed to verify whether these self-appraisals reflect true changes in skills over time.     

Magnetic resonance angiography in patients with acute stroke treated by local thrombolysis

Although magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is accepted for showing chronic intracranial stenotic or occlusive lesions, the method has not been practically examined in patients with acute cerebral ischaemia. We carried out three-dimensional time-of-flight MRA in six patients with acute ischaemia treated by local thrombolysis, and compared the findings with those of digital subtraction angiography (DSA). In all patients, MRA before thrombolysis clearly demonstrated the occluded arteries, which corresponded precisely to those shown by DSA. In four patients with complete recanalisation of the occluded vessels after thrombolysis, the recanalisation could be demonstrated by postoperative MRA. In one patient with reocclusion of the recanalised artery, repeat MRA also demonstrated the reocclusion, confirmed by DSA. These results suggest that MRA may be helpful for noninvasive investigation before and after thrombolysis. Received: 10 September 1997 Accepted: 17 January 1998     

Intra-arterial reteplase compared to urokinase for thrombolytic recanalization in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Reteplase (RP) and urokinase (UK) are being used "off-label" to treat acute ischemic stroke. The safety and efficacy of intra-arterial RP or UK in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, however, has yet to be proved. We aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RP compared with UK in acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted of cases from a prospectively collected stroke data base on consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion by digital subtraction angiography treated with intra-arterial RP or UK. Thrombolytic dosage, recanalization rate, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), mortality, and outcome were determined. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients received RP and 22 received UK (mean doses, 2.5 +/- 1.4 mg and 690,000 +/- 562,000 U, respectively). Vascular occlusions included 9 basilar arteries (BAs), 7 internal carotid arteries (ICAs), and 17 middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) with RP and 9 BAs, 4 ICAs, and 9 MCAs with UK. Median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scales were as follows: 16 (range, 5-25; 81% > or = 10) with RP and 17 (range, 6-38; 85% > or =10) with UK. Mean time from symptom onset to thrombolytic initiation: 333 +/- 230 minutes with RP and 343 +/- 169 minutes with UK. Recanalization rates were as follows: 82% with RP and 64% with UK (P = .13). Symptomatic ICH rates were as follows: 12% with RP and 4.5% with UK (P = .50). The mortality rate was 24% with RP and 27% with UK (P = .8). CONCLUSION: Although limited in statistical power, our study suggests that, although IA thrombolysis with RP shows a trend for higher recanalization rates and hemorrhage rates, IA thrombolysis with RP is not significantly different in recanalization, outcome, mortality, and ICH compared with that of UK or rates reported with IA pro-UK.