Percutaneous Vascular Interventions for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

This is a systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing percutaneous vascular interventions plus medical treatment to medical treatment alone for acute ischemic stroke. ### Types of Percutaneous Vascular Interventions All percutaneous arterial endovascular techniques aimed at revascularization in acute ischemic stroke, including but were not confined to: AngioJet aspiration; laser recanalization; thromboaspiration (retrieval devices); angioplasty; mechanical fragmentation of the thrombus; implantation of stents; intra-arterial thrombolysis; and intra-arterial sonothrombolysis. All types of medical treatment could be given in addition to the percutaneous interventions. ### Type of Comparison Therapy The comparison therapy was routine medical treatment. Intravenous thrombolytic treatment was permissible only when the same intravenous thrombolytic treatment was also given to the intervention group. We searched the Trials Registers of the Cochrane Stroke Group and 8 additional databases. We also contacted researchers and equipment manufacturers and hand-searched conference proceedings. Both …