Preliminary study of endovascular treatment of anterior circulation multiple occlusions in acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the endovascular treatment of anterior circulation multiple occlusions (AMO) in acute ischemic stroke.Methods The clinical data of 10 patients with AMO treated by endovascular method from January 2011 to August 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.The proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion was treated using angioplasty in order to achieve ideal location of the guiding catheter.When necessary,stenting was performed after the reconstitution of the intracranial vessel.Recanalization was assessed according to the thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia (TICI) grade.Clinical prognosis was assessed using mRS at 3 months.The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission and at discharge was compared using t test.Results The intracranial vessel was recanalized successfully (TICI ≥ 2b) in 9 cases and cervical carotid was stented in 8 cases.Adverse events were recorded in 3 patients,including one case of asymptomatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and two cases of symptomatic intra-cerebral hemorrhage.Mortality rate was 10 ％ (n=1).At the three-month follow up,mRS ≤ 2 was observed in five patients.The mean NIHSS scores was 15.7±2.2 on admission and 9.6±4.7at discharge,and the difference was statistic significant(t=2.86,P=0.02).Conclusion Endovascular therapy of AMO is technically feasible,and relatively safe and effective. Key words: Arterial occlusive diseases; Carotid artery, internal; Middle cerebral artery; Radiology, interventional