Higher Baseline National Institutes Of Health Stroke Scale Research Articles

Repeated intravenous thrombolysis in recurrent ischemic stroke within 3 months: a systematic review

BackgroundRepeated intravenous thrombolysis (RIVT) within 3 months is an off-guideline therapy, however, may be an effective and safe way to treat early recurrent ischemic stroke. This study was conducted to assess the potential influencing factors on the efficacy and safety of RIVT in recurrent ischemic stroke within 3 months and to explore the strategy of RIVT within 3 months.MethodsPubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Database were searched for cases of RIVT in recurrent ischemic stroke within 3 months up to February 1, 2023. Clinical characteristics were compared and analyzed between the good-outcome and poor-outcome groups and between the symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and non-sICH groups respectively.ResultsA total of 16 studies including 24 cases of RIVT within 3 months were retrospectively analyzed in the present study. The patients’ ages ranged from 42 to 87 years (median 73.5 years) and the intervals between thrombolysis were from 0.25 to 90 days (median 9.5 days). Comparing the clinical characteristics between the good-outcome group and the poor-outcome group, no statistically significant differences were found (P > 0.05), but the differences in baseline National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score of the recurrent stroke (P = 0.056) and good outcome after the previous IVT (P = 0.054) nearly reached statistical significance. Comparing the data between the non-sICH group and the sICH group, statistically significant differences were found in terms of the proportion of cardiogenic embolism (P = 0.036), baseline NIHSS score in the recurrent stroke (P = 0.007) and the interval between thrombolysis (P = 0.041), but no significant difference was found by regression analysis.ConclusionIn patients with recurrent ischemic stroke within 3 months, those with a good outcome after the previous IVT and a low baseline NIHSS score in the recurrent stroke may be considered for RIVT, whereas those with a high baseline NIHSS score, a short interval between thrombolysis, and cardiogenic embolism may suffer a higher risk of sICH. Due to sample size and publication bias, more studies with larger sample sizes and more rigorous designs are needed to confirm this conclusion.

The white blood cell count to mean platelet volume ratio for ischemic stroke patients after intravenous thrombolysis.

Background and PurposeWhite blood cell count to mean platelet volume ratio (WMR) is increasingly recognized as a promising biomarker. However, its predictive capability for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients is relatively less researched. The primary aim of this study is to explore its prognostic value in AIS patients after reperfusion regarding 3-month poor functional outcome.MethodsA total of 549 AIS patients who had undergone vascular reperfusion procedure with complete 3-month follow-up were retrospectively recruited in this study. White blood cell count, mean platelet volume at 24 h of admission were recorded. Stroke severity had been estimated using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and poor outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 3–6 at 3 months.ResultsAIS patients with poor functional outcome at 3 months displayed higher WMR. A positive correlation between WMR and NIHSS score was found (r = 0.334, p < 0.001). After adjusting potential confounders, WMR was still an independent risk factor for poor prognosis at 3 months (OR = 2.257, 95% CI [1.117-4.564], p = 0.023) in multivariate logistic regression model. Subgroup analyses further suggested a significant association between WMR and poor outcome in high baseline NIHSS (per 0.1-point increase: OR = 1.153, 95% CI [1.014-1.312], p = 0.030) group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis was utilized to assess the predictive ability of WMR, indicating a cut-off value of 0.86. A nomogram that includes age, sex, NIHSS on admission, high WMR for predicting 1-year all-cause survival was also developed (C-index = 0.628).ConclusionsWMR is significantly correlated with stroke severity on admission and is proved to be an important prognostic indicator for AIS outcomes, especially in high NIHSS on admission group. Additionally, the developed nomogram that includes high WMR for predicting 1-year survival provides us with an effective visualization tool.

Influence of white matter lesions on the prognosis of acute cardioembolic stroke without reperfusion therapy

BackgroundFew studies have investigated the influence of white matter lesions (WMLs) on the prognosis of acute cardioembolic stroke (CES). We aimed to explore the role of WMLs in predicting 3-month prognosis of CES without reperfusion therapy.MethodsA number of 251 acute CES patients without reperfusion therapy at a single center were retrospectively recruited. The severity of WMLs was evaluated by Fazekas scale and patients were divided into mild WMLs group (188 cases, Fazekas ≤ 2 points) and moderate to severe WMLs group (63 cases, Fazekas ≥ 3 points) accordingly. General data and clinical features of the two groups were compared. Functional outcomes of patients were followed up for 3 months using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and patients were divided into poor outcome group (mRS ≥ 3) and favorable outcome group (mRS ≤ 2). The effect of WMLs on the prognosis was identified by binary logistic regression.ResultsPatients in moderate to severe WMLs group were older (P < 0.001). Also, they had higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (P < 0.001) and elevated incidence of asymptomatic cerebral hemorrhage (P = 0.040) and stroke associated pneumonia (P = 0.001) than those in mild WMLs group. At 3 months, there were 100 cases in the poor outcome group. Patients in poor outcome group had higher baseline NIHSS score, increased proportion of moderate to severe WMLs, and elevated incidence of stroke associated pneumonia than those in favorable outcome group (P < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that moderate to severe WMLs (odds ratio [OR] = 4.105, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.447–11.646), baseline NIHSS score (OR = 1.368, 95 % CI = 1.240–1.511), and stroke-associated pneumonia (OR = 4.840, 95 %CI = 1.889–12.400) were independent risk factors for poor outcome.ConclusionsModerate to severe WMLs is an independent risk factor for prognosis of CES patients without reperfusion therapy.

Mechanical thrombectomy beyond the circle of Willis: efficacy and safety of different techniques for M2 occlusions

BackgroundM2 segment occlusions represent approximately one-third of non-lacunar ischemic stroke and can lead to permanent neurological deficits. Various techniques are available for mechanical thrombectomy beyond the circle of Willis, but...

D-Dimer as Predictor of Large Vessel Occlusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Improving prehospital triage of large vessel occlusion (LVO) would reduce time to reperfusion therapies. We aimed to study early predictors of LVO in acute ischemic stroke to identify candidates for endovascular treatment. The Stroke-Chip was a prospective observational study conducted at 6 Stroke Centers in Catalonia. Blood samples were obtained in the first 6 hours from symptom onset of consecutive patients. Stroke severity was evaluated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and LVO was assessed. Independent association of multiple blood biomarkers with LVO was evaluated using logistic regression models adjusted by covariates. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were assessed for NIHSS and the combination of NIHSS and selected serum biomarkers levels. One thousand three hundred eight suspected strokes were enrolled for a 17-month period. LVO was not assessed in 131 patients. One thousand one hundred seventy-seven patients were selected for analysis (mean age 69.3 years, 56% men, median baseline NIHSS of 6, and median time to blood collection 2.5 hours). LVO was detected in 262 patients. LVO patients were older, had higher baseline NIHSS, history of atrial fibrillation, and lower time from stroke onset to admission. After logistic regression analysis, D-dimer remained an independent predictor of LVO (odds ratio, 1.59 [1.31-1.92]). Specificity and positive predictive value to exclude or detect LVO were higher when using combined D-dimer levels and NIHSS score assessment rather than NIHSS alone. Early D-dimer levels are an independent predictor of LVO and may be useful to better optimize prehospital patient transport to the appropriate stroke center.

Abstract TP407: Comparative Characteristics of Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Early Neurological Deterioration Following Intravenous Thrombolysis

Background: Early neurological deterioration (END) caused by ischemic or hemorrhagic insult following intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is a serious clinical event. We aimed to clarify differences in characteristics of END between due to ischemic and hemorrhagic insults. Methods: From October 2005 to December 2015, consecutive patients who received 0.6 mg/kg intravenous rt-PA for acute ischemic stroke was retrospectively registered from 4 affiliated hospitals with a stroke unit. END was defined as any ≥4 point deterioration on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score compared with baseline within 24 hours. Ischemic lesions were assessed by Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) on the initial CT and/or diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and the extensive ischemic lesions were defined as ASPECTS ≤ 6 on CT or ≤ 7 on DWI at baseline. Large artery occlusions were defined as occlusions of one or more of the internal carotid artery, proximal portion of the middle cerebral artery, or the basilar artery. END was classified into those due to ischemic (END i ) or hemorrhagic (END h ) insults based on the imaging at deterioration. In comparison with the non-END, factors associated with END i and END h were investigated. Results: A total of 744 patients (452 men, 73.3 ± 12.3 years old) were included. Among them, END was seen in 78 patients (10.5%) including 57 END i (7.7%) and 21 END h (2.8%). END occurred median 7 hours after the administration of rt-PA and most of them occurred within first 2 hours. Comparing to the non-END, multivariate analysis showed that extensive ischemic lesions (Odds ratio [OR] 3.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.57-6.59) and large artery occlusions (OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.54-6.54) were associated with END i , while extensive ischemic lesions (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.16-10.11), higher baseline NIHSS score (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00-1.14), and pretreatment of antiplatelets (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.08-8.88) were associated with END h . Conclusions: END was an uncommon complication in patients receiving intravenous rt-PA for acute ischemic stroke. END i was approximately three times more than END h . Distinct factors were associated with END i and END h .

Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients With Milder Strokes and Large Vessel Occlusions.

Background and Purpose- We aimed to describe the safety and efficacy of immediate mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with large vessel occlusions and low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) versus best medical management. Methods- Patients from prospectively collected databases of 6 international comprehensive stroke centers with large vessel occlusions (distal intracranial internal carotid, middle cerebral artery-M1 and M2 segments, or basilar artery with or without tandem occlusions) and NIHSS 0 to 5 were identified and divided into 2 groups for analysis: immediate MT or initial best medical management which included rescue MT after neurological deterioration (best medical management-MT). Uni- and multivariate analyses and patient-level matching for age, baseline NIHSS, and occlusion site were performed to compare baseline and outcome variables across the 2 groups. The primary outcome was defined as good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-2) at day 90. Safety outcome was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage as defined by the ECASS (European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study) II and mortality at day 90. Results- Compared with best medical management-MT (n=220), patients with immediate MT (n=80) were younger (65.3±13.5 versus 69.5±14.1; P=0.021), had more often atrial fibrillation (44.8% versus 28.2%; P=0.012), higher baseline NIHSS (4, 0-5 versus 3, 0-5; P=0.005), higher Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (10, 7-10 versus 10, 5-10; P=0.023), more middle cerebral artery-M1, and less middle cerebral artery-M2 (41.3% versus 21.9% and 28.8% versus 49.3%; P=0.016) occlusions. The adjusted odds ratio for good outcome was 3.1 (95% CI, 1.4-6.9) favoring immediate MT. In the matched analysis, there was a 14.4% absolute difference in good outcome (84.4% versus 70.1%; P=0.03) at day 90 favoring immediate MT. There were no safety concerns. Conclusions- Our retrospective, pilot analysis suggests that immediate thrombectomy in large vessel occlusions patients with low NIHSS on presentation may be safe and has the potential to result in improved outcomes. Randomized clinical trials are warranted to establish the optimal management for this patient population.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of non-valve atrial fibrillation and acute ischemic stroke in the very elderly patients

Objective To compare the clinical characteristics of patients with non-valve atrial fibrillation(NAVF)and acute ischemic stroke(AIS)between two groups: aged ≥80 years versus 60-79 years. Methods One hundred and five inpatients with NVAF and AIS, treated in Neurological Department Beijing Hospital from November 2009 to November 2014, were divided into two groups of the very elderly patients(≥80 years, n=44)and old patients(60-79 years, n=61). Baseline data and clinical characteristics of patients with NAVF and AIS were retrospectively compared between the two groups to explore their risk factors, subtypes of AIS, the complications and prognosis. Results Age was the risk factor for stroke in the very elderly patients with NAVF.Compared with old patients group, the very elderly patients were associated with significantly higher baseline NIHSS(National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)(11.59±7.76 vs. 6.03±7.12, t=3.80, P=0.000). The rates of mRS(modified Rankin Scale)≥3(poorer clinical turnover)1 or more month after AIS was 21.3% in the old patients versus 56.8% in the very elderly patients(χ2=13.96, P<0.01). Moreover, anterior circulation infarction was the main subtypes of AIS in the very elderly patients versus old patients(χ2=12.28, P=0.020). Meanwhile, the very elderly patients versus the old patients had markedly higher rates of complications of AIS, such as pneumonia(65.9% vs. 27.9%; χ2=14.53, P<0.05), gastrointestinal bleeding(36.4% vs. 13.1%; χ2=7.84, P<0.05), acute coronary syndrome or heart failure(34.1% vs.11.5%; χ2=7.89, P<0.05). Conclusions The very elderly patients versus the old patients show that risk factors for NVAF with AIS are more often the ageing and smoking, and that anterior cerebral circulation is more often affected.The degrees of NVAF and AIS severity are higher, the more complications are found, and the prognosis is worse. Key words: Atrial fibrillation; Stroke

Predictors of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage after Endovascular Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke with Large Vessel Occlusion

The symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) is a serious complication of endovascular therapy (EVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion. We aimed to clarify the predictors of SICH after EVT in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) or proximal M1 segment of middle cerebral artery occlusions. Among 1442 AIS patients with large vessel occlusion admitted within 24 hours after onset between July 2010 and June 2011, 226 patients with ICA or proximal M1 occlusions were treated with EVT. SICH was defined as any type of intracranial hemorrhage with a decline in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥4. Of the 226 patients, 204 with sufficient data were analyzed. SICH was observed in 10 patients (4.9%). Baseline NIHSS score (22 versus 17), serum glucose level (206 mg/dL versus 140 mg/dL), and prior antiplatelet therapy (60.0% versus 21.7%) were significantly higher in patients with SICH than in those without (all P < .01). With receiver operating characteristic analyses, the optimal cutoff values for predicting SICH were NIHSS score ≥19 and serum glucose ≥160 mg/dL. In multivariate analysis, glucose level ≥160 mg/dL (odds ratio: 11.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.79-65.08), prior antiplatelet therapy (odds ratio: 8.03; 95% CI: 1.83-41.70), and NIHSS score ≥19 (odds ratio: 7.78; 95% CI: 1.63-59.44) were independent predictors of SICH. Hyperglycemia, prior antiplatelet therapy, and high baseline NIHSS score were associated with SICH after EVT in AIS patients with ICA or proximal M1 occlusions.

Abstract P208: Racial Differences in Stroke Severity and Outcomes in Female Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

Background: Previous research has indicated that women and Blacks have worse outcomes following acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Little research has been done to investigate the influence of race in the presentation and outcome specifically among women with AIS. Methods: AIS patients presenting to two centers in the Stroke Belt (2004-2011) were identified by prospective registries. Men, women who did not identify as Black or White, and in-hospital strokes were excluded. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, favorable discharge disposition (home or inpatient rehab), time from last seen normal to ED arrival, and functional discharge outcome as measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were investigated. Patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) not treated with IV t-PA, (2) treated with IV t-PA within 3 hours of symptom onset, and (3) treated with IV t-PA beyond 3 hours. Results: Of the 8763 patients screened, 2217 women met the study criteria (59% White). White women were older (72 vs. 64; p&lt;0.0001), had higher percentage of atrial fibrillation (24% vs. 11%; p&lt;0.0001), lower percentage of diabetes (30% vs. 40%, p&lt;0.0001), lower percentage of hypertension (73% vs. 84%; p&lt;0.0001) and had a higher baseline NIHSS (9 vs. 7; p=0.0045) Administration of tPA was significantly less among Black women (36% Whites vs. 27% Blacks, p&lt;0.0001). White women are at increased odds of receiving tPA treatment (OR=1.43, 95%CI 1.17-1.75, p=0.0005), and remain at increased odds after adjusting for age, baseline NIHSS, time from last seen normal and glucose (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.11-1.81, p=00044). Despite the significant difference in treatment with IV tPA, White women had increased odds of having a poor functional outcome (OR=1.2, 95% CI 1.02-1.439,p=0.0250) and unfavorable discharge disposition (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.18-1.67, p=0.0001), but stratifying by tPA treatment groups, race was not found to be predictive of outcome after adjusting for known confounders (i.e., age, glucose, baseline NIHSS, time from last seen normal). Discussion: Unlike data from previous studies, Black women who presented to these two centers with AIS had less severe neurologic deficits on presentation compared to their White counterparts. Despite differences in the proportion of Blacks and Whites treated with IV tPA, race was not significantly associated with outcome. In our study, age and stroke severity_not race_were the primary predictors for poor outcome.

Abstract TP305: Lower Serum Total Cholesterol Levels Are Associated With Increased Severity of Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Results from the Taiwan Stroke Registry

Background and Purpose: Evidence of a causal relationship between serum cholesterol level and hemorrhagic stroke is inconclusive. We hypothesized that lower total serum cholesterol (TC) levels are associated with severe intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: During May, 2006 and April, 2009, patients registered in the Taiwan Stroke Registry, a prospective registry engaging 38 academic and community hospitals across Taiwan (Hsie FI et al, Circulation, 2010), and who had first-ever spontaneous ICH were included. Patients who did not have measure of TC at baseline were excluded. Lower TC was defined as the serum level of TC &lt;160 mg/dl. Stroke severity measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was dichotomized (score &gt;15 versus ≤15). Mortality and poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score &gt;2) at 1 month were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between lower TC and initial severity of ICH. Results: A total of 2239 ICH patients (mean age 62±14 years, 64% men) were included in this analysis. There were 774 (34.6%) patients presented with lower TC on admission. Lower TC levels at baseline was significantly associated with higher baseline NIHSS &gt;15 (odds ratio, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.44 to 2.19). One-month case-fatality was higher in patients with low TC than those without (9.2% vs. 5.1%, P=0.0002). Prior use of lipid-lowering drugs was not associated with low TC or not. Conclusion: A lower total cholesterol level was associated with increased severity of ICH at presentation.

Leukoaraiosis Predicts Poor 90-Day Outcome after Acute Large Cerebral Artery Occlusion

Background: To date limited information regarding outcome-modifying factors in patients with acute intracranial large artery occlusion (ILAO) in the anterior circulation is available. Leukoaraiosis (LA) is a common finding among patients with ischemic stroke and has been associated with poor post-stroke outcomes but its association with ILAO remains poorly characterized. This study sought to clarify the contribution of baseline LA and other common risk factors to 90-day outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS) after stroke due to acute anterior circulation ILAO. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1,153 consecutive patients with imaging-confirmed ischemic stroke during a 4-year period (2007–2010) at a single academic institution. The final study cohort included 87 patients with acute ILAO subjected to multimodal CT imaging within 24 h of symptom onset. LA severity was assessed using the van Swieten scale on non-contrast CT. Leptomeningeal collaterals were graded using CT angiogram source images. Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) was determined on follow-up CT. Multivariate logistic regression controlling for HT, treatment modality, demographic, as well as baseline clinical and imaging characteristics was used to identify independent predictors of a poor outcome (90-day mRS >2). Results: The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at baseline was 15 (interquartile range 9–21). Twenty-four percent of the studied patients had severe LA. They were more likely to have hypertension (p = 0.028), coronary artery disease (p = 0.015), poor collaterals (p < 0.001), higher baseline NIHSS (p = 0.003), higher mRS at 90 days (p < 0.001), and were older (p = 0.002). Patients with severe LA had a uniformly poor outcome (p < 0.001) irrespective of treatment modality. Poor outcome was independently associated with higher baseline NIHSS (p < 0.001), worse LA (graded and dichotomized, p < 0.001), reduced leptomeningeal collaterals (graded and dichotomized, p < 0.001), presence of HT (p < 0.001), presence of parenchymal hemorrhages (p = 0.01), baseline mRS (p = 0.002), and older age (p = 0.043). The association between severe LA (p = 0.0056; OR 13.86; 95% CI 1.94–∞) and baseline NIHSS (p = 0.0001; OR 5.11; 95% CI 2.07–14.49 for each 10-point increase) with poor outcome maintained after adjustment for confounders in the final regression model. In this model, there was no significant association between presence of HT and poor outcome (p = 0.0572). Conclusion: Coexisting LA may predict poor functional outcome in patients with acute anterior circulation ILAO independent of other known important outcome predictors such as comorbid state, admission functional deficit, collateral status, hemorrhagic conversion, and treatment modality.

O-023 Asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke is associated with worse outcomes

Background and purposeThe use of endovascular techniques to treat large artery occlusion in acute ischemic stroke has become more frequently employed as a treatment option. We sought to determine the...

Carotid Duplex Ultrasonography Can Predict Outcome of Intravenous Alteplase Therapy for Hyperacute Stroke

We evaluated whether carotid duplex ultrasonography (US) can help predict the safety and efficacy of treating hyperacute stroke with intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase) therapy. Consecutive patients with stroke were assigned to the carotid artery occlusion (CO) group or the other (non-CO) group according to US findings before or immediately after receiving IV alteplase. Effectiveness and safety outcomes included early neurologic improvement, defined as a reduction in a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≥4 points within the initial 24 hours after stroke onset; completely independent routine activity, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of ≤1 at day 90 after stroke onset; symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) occurring within 36 hours after stroke onset; and any ICH. We enrolled 127 patients (27 in the CO group and 100 in the non-CO group) with a median baseline NIHSS score of 13 (range, 4-30). The CO group had a higher baseline NIHSS score (median, 18 vs 12; P=.005). After multivariate adjustment, the CO group was inversely associated with early improvement (odds ratio [OR]=0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.09-0.72) and independence at day 90 (OR=0.23; 95% CI=0.05-0.73) and positively associated with any ICH (OR=3.11; 95% CI=1.23-8.48). Our findings indicate that CO identified by US in the emergency clinical setting is an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome and ICH following IV alteplase therapy.

Emergent Stenting of Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion in Acute Stroke Has a High Revascularization Rate

Acute ischemic stroke attributable to extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion is frequently associated with severe disability or death. In selected cases, revascularization with carotid artery stenting has been reported, but the safety, recanalization rate, and clinical outcomes in consecutive case series are not known. We retrospectively reviewed all of the cases of ICA occlusions that underwent cerebral angiography with the intent to revascularize over a 38-month period. Two groups were identified: (1) patients who presented with an acute clinical presentation within 6 hours of symptom onset (n=15); and (2) patients who presented subacutely with neurologic fluctuations because of the ICA occlusion (n=10). Twenty-five patients with a mean age of 62+/-11 years and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) of 14 were identified. Twenty-three of the 25 patients (92%) were successfully revascularized with carotid artery stenting. Patients in group 1 were younger and more likely to have a tandem occlusion and higher baseline NIHSS when compared with group 2. Patients in group 2 were more likely to show early clinical improvement defined as a reduction of their NIHSS by > or =4 points and a modified Rankin Score of < or =2 at 30-day follow-up. Two clinically insignificant adverse events were noted: 1 asymptomatic hemorrhage and 1 nonflow-limiting dissection. Endovascular treatment of acute ICA occlusion appears to have a high-recanalization rate and be relatively safe in our cohort of patients with acute ICA occlusion. Future prospective studies are necessary to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from this form of therapy.