Implications of Mechanical Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Basilar and Posterior Cerebral Artery Occlusion

OBJECTIVE: Protocols for posterior circulation ischemic stroke have not been established by randomized clinical trials. Mechanical endovascular thrombectomy (MET) devices are evolving, and many of these devices already developed or in development are suitable for posterior circulation MET. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the medical records of patients who underwent MET for posterior circulation ischemic stroke from January 2012 to August 2016. Fifteen patients were included. MET was performed in patients with or without injected intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. MET was considered in patients with a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score of 4 or more, older than 18 years, with definite occlusion of the basilar artery or posterior cerebral artery (PCA), and who arrived at the hospital within 24 hours from onset. RESULTS: The direct catheter aspiration technique was used in five cases, and the stent retrieval technique was used in seven cases. The stent retrieval technique with the direct aspiration technique was used in three cases. Recanalization failed in two cases. Basilar occlusion without PCA involvement is the only effective factor of successful recanalization (p = 0.03). Successful recanalization (p = 0.005) and the presence of a posterior communicating artery (p = 0.005) affected the good outcome at discharge. CONCLUSION: An early diagnosis and active MET may improve the patient outcome. MET may help recanalization and good flow restoration and the potential for a good outcome.

Relationship between lesion location and onset symptoms of cerebral infarction caused by acute basilar arterial occlusion / 医学研究生学报

Objective The clinical manifestations of cerebral infarction caused by acute basilar arterial occlusion are complex.The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between lesion location and onset symptoms of cerebral infarction caused by acute basilar arterial occlusion.Methods Fifty three patients diagnosed with cerebral infarction caused by acute artery occlusion were collected from Nanjing Stroke Registry.They were hospitalized in Jinling Hospital from January 2007 to July 2016 and were divided into sudden onset group and progressive onset group.Their clinical and digital subtraction angiography data were analyzed retrospectively.Results Middle and distal segment of the basilar artery occlusions were usually found in sudden onset group.Patients in progressive onset group were more likely to present with proximal segment of the basilar artery occlusions.Significant statistical difference was found between two groups (P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that the symptoms of patients with proximal segment basilar artery occlusion tended to be progressive onset, compared with patients affected by distal segment occlusion (OR=14.77,95%CI:1.57-139.00, P=0.019).Conclusion There was significant relationship between lesion location and onset symptoms of cerebral infarction caused by acute basilar arterial occlusion.Early diagnosis and timely treatment may improve clinical prognosis in patients.

Acute Ischemic Stroke Involving Both Anterior and Posterior Circulation Treated by Endovascular Revascularization for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion via Persistent Primitive Trigeminal Artery

We report a case of acute ischemic stroke involving both the anterior and posterior circulation associated with a persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA), treated by endovascular revascularization for acute basilar artery (BA) occlusion via the PPTA. An otherwise healthy 67-year-old man experienced sudden loss of consciousness and quadriplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an extensive acute infarction in the right cerebral hemisphere, and magnetic resonance angiography showed occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and BA. Because the volume of infarction in the territory of the right MCA was extensive, we judged the use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator to be contraindicated. Cerebral angiography revealed hypoplasia of both vertebral arteries and the presence of a PPTA from the right internal carotid artery. A microcatheter was introduced into the BA via the PPTA and revascularization was successfully performed using a Merci Retriever with adjuvant low-dose intraarterial urokinase. After treatment, his consciousness level and right motor weakness improved. Although persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses such as a PPTA are relatively rare vascular anomalies, if the persistent primitive artery is present, it can be an access route for mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke.

Endovascular Mechanical Thrombectomy in Basilar Artery Occlusion: Initial Experience

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (EMT) for patients diagnosed with basilar artery (BA) occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical and imaging data of 16 patients diagnosed with BA occlusion who were treated with endovascular intervention from July 2012 to February 2013. Direct suction using the Penumbra system and thrombus retrieval by the Solitaire stent were the main endovascular techniques used to restore BA flow. The outcomes were evaluated based on rate of angiographic recanalization, rate of improvement of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, rate of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge and after 3 months, and rate of cerebral hemorrhagic complications. Successful recanalization was defined as achieving Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) of II or III. RESULTS: Sixteen patients received thrombectomy. The mean age was 67.8 +/- 11 years and the mean NIHSS score was 12.3 +/- 8.2. Eight patients treated within 6 hours of symptom onset were grouped as A and the other 8 patients treated beyond 6 hours (range, 6-120) were grouped as B. Successful recanalization was met in six patients (75%) for group A and 7 (87.5%) for group B. Favorable outcome occurred in 4 patients (50%) for group A and 5 (62.5%) for group B. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the effectiveness and safety of endovascular mechanical thrombectomy in treating BA occlusion even 6 hours after symptom onset.

Endovascular Mechanical Thrombectomy in Basilar Artery Occlusion: Initial Experience

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (EMT) for patients diagnosed with basilar artery (BA) occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical and imaging data of 16 patients diagnosed with BA occlusion who were treated with endovascular intervention from July 2012 to February 2013. Direct suction using the Penumbra system and thrombus retrieval by the Solitaire stent were the main endovascular techniques used to restore BA flow. The outcomes were evaluated based on rate of angiographic recanalization, rate of improvement of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, rate of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge and after 3 months, and rate of cerebral hemorrhagic complications. Successful recanalization was defined as achieving Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (TICI) of II or III. RESULTS: Sixteen patients received thrombectomy. The mean age was 67.8 +/- 11 years and the mean NIHSS score was 12.3 +/- 8.2. Eight patients treated within 6 hours of symptom onset were grouped as A and the other 8 patients treated beyond 6 hours (range, 6-120) were grouped as B. Successful recanalization was met in six patients (75%) for group A and 7 (87.5%) for group B. Favorable outcome occurred in 4 patients (50%) for group A and 5 (62.5%) for group B. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the effectiveness and safety of endovascular mechanical thrombectomy in treating BA occlusion even 6 hours after symptom onset.

Locked-in syndrome: A rare manifestation of pediatric stroke.

Locked-in syndrome is characterized by upper motor neuron quadriplegia, paralysis of lower cranial nerves, bilateral horizontal gaze palsy and anarthria, with preserved consciousness. It is due to a ventral pontine lesion following a basilar artery occlusion. We report the first Indian case report of locked-in syndrome, a 10-year old girl in whom the syndome was preceded by a ‘herald hemiparesis’. Although the exact etiology for the basilar artery occlusion could not be determined, treatment with low molecular weight heparin and warfarin was followed by partial recovery.

Successful Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis of an Occluded Basilar Artery in Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

No abstract available.

Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis and Stenting for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objectire:To explore and evaluate the predictors for the prognosis of acute besilar artery occlusion(BAO)and the clinical efficacy of intra-arterial thrombolysis and stenting for BAO.Methods:Intra-arterial thrombolysis was administered with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator or urokinase in 52 patients with BAO within 3 to 48 hours.Stenting was performed in patients whose partial recanalization of residual stenosis＞50%after the thrombolysis.National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score was measured before the procedure,and the modifled Rankin scale(mRS)score was obtained at 3 months after the procedure.The clinical data were evaluated with the multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis and Fisher's exact test.Results:Complete recanalization achieved in 24 patients(46.2%),partial recanalization in 16 patients(30.7%),and non-recanalization in 12 patients(23.1%).mRS scores:22 patients(42.3%)had a favorable outcome,32 survived(61.5%),and 20 died (38.5%).The prognosis of BAO was significantly correlated with the NIHSS score(P＜0.01),therapeutic time window (P ＜0.05) and recanalization level (after the thrombolysis and stenting)(P＜0.01 );the good recanalization after the intra-arterial thrombolysis was significantly correlated with the NIHSS score (P ＜0.01) and therapeutic time window (P ＜0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that the NIHSS score ＜ 14 (P ＜ 0.01 ) and good recanalization could independently predict the favorable prognosis of BAO.Conclusions:The NIHSS score ＜ 14 and good recanalization were the independent predictors for good prognosis of BAO.The rapid and timely treatment of BAO with intra-arterial thrombolysis and stenting is a safe and effective measure.