ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of endovascular recanalization in the treatment of chronically occluded internal carotid artery (COICA).Methods:From January 2014 to January 2019, patients over 50 years of age with symptomatic COICA underwent endovascular recanalization in the Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University were enrolled retrospectively. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to evaluate the improvement of neurological function.Results:A total of 19 patients with symptomatic COICA were enrolled, of which 16 (84.21%) were successfully recanalized. None of the patients had severe neurological deficits during the periprocedural period and after procedure. The neurological function of patients with successful recanalization gradually improved over time. The neurological function improved in 4 patients (25.0%) at 24 h after endovascular treatment and 9 (56.3%) at 18 months postprocedural follow-up. The follow-up of CT angiography showed that the internal carotid artery in patients with successful recanalization was unobstructed, and there was no obvious in-stent stenosis.Conclusion:Endovascular recanalization is feasible, safe and effective in patients with symptomatic COICA.