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Objective Stable and swift placement of a guiding catheter in endovascular therapies for acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion is often difficult because of the tortuous bends of the vertebral or subclavian artery especially in older people. The use of a delivery assist guiding catheter (DAGC) shortens the time with stable support to deliver a therapeutic treatment catheter to the target lesions. Herein, we reported the clinical and radiographic outcomes in endovascular therapies utilizing the DAGC for acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusions in actual clinical settings. Materials and Methods Between January 2018 and December 2021, 33 consecutive patients (males, 20[60.6%]; median age, 78 years) using a DAGC for acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion were analyzed retrospectively. Reperfusion was graded using postinterventional angiograms based on the "thrombolysis in cerebral infarction" (TICI) classification. Furthermore, the time from puncture to recanalization and the rate of effective recanalization achievement were investigated. Results Effective recanalization with TICI 2b or 3 was achieved in 28 (84.8%) patients, and the median time from puncture to recanalization was only 44 minutes, despite the high rate of older patients in our cohort. In contrast, asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage as a complication was observed in only 3 (9.1%) patients. Conclusion The DAGC contributes to the shortening of recanalization time and improves the outcomes of endovascular therapies for acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion.
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Background and purpose: The best method for selecting patients with acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (VBAO) who would benefit from endovascular treatment (EVT) is still the key question. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for selecting patients with acute VBAO for EVT. Materials and methods: A total of 14 patients with suspected acute VBAO on MR angiography (MRA) in the EVT database (from April 2016 to August 2019) were enrolled. Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) and pons-midbrain index were assessed on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). EVT included a stent retriever and a rescue treatment (angioplasty and/or stenting). The proportion of successful reperfusion and favorable functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale ≤ 3) at 90 days was documented. Results: A total of 11 patients were included in the final analysis. The median DWI-ASPECTS and pons-midbrain index were 7 and 2, respectively. Underlying stenosis was detected in 10 of 11 (90.9%) patients. Balloon angioplasty and/or stenting were used as rescue therapy for five patients and two patients, respectively. A total of nine patients (81.8%) achieved successful reperfusion (mTICI, 2b, or 3). The 90-day mRS score of 0-3 was achieved in six (54.5%) patients. The mortality rate within 90 days was 18.2% (two of 11 patients). Conclusion: DWI plus MRA could help select the patients with acute VBAO for EVT by assessing ASPECTS and the pons-midbrain index. Patients could achieve good reperfusion and favorable functional outcomes.
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Objective:To compare the therapeutic efficacies of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) and intravenous thrombolysis (IT) in patients with acute vertebrobasilar occlusive cerebral infarction.Methods:A prospective inclusion of 111 patients with acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion admitted to our hospital from February 2014 to December 2019 was performed; these patients were divided into MT group ( n=66) and IT group ( n=45) according to the wishes of their families. MT was performed directly in patients from the MT group; IT was performed firstly in those from the IT group, and MT (also known as bridging treatment) was then used for those who showed no efficacy in IT when condition permission and having family member's willing. Vascular recanalization rate, incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores and mortality rate were assessed in the two groups after treatment. Results:During the course of the study, 7 patients (4 in the MT group and 3 in the IT group) dropped out, and finally 104 (62 in the MT group and 42 in the IT group) were included in the statistical analysis. Fifty-four patients in MT group had succeeded recanalization, and the recanalization rate (87.1%) was statistically higher than that in IT group (61.9%, P<0.05). There were 8 patients (12.9%) with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in MT group and 6 patients (14.3%) in IT group, without significant difference ( P>0.05). The treatment effective rate (difference value of NIHSS scores before and after treatment≥4 or NIHSS score after treatment=0) in patients from MT group (67.7%) was significantly higher than that in IT group (38.1%), the good prognosis rate (58.1%) was statistically higher than that in IT group (28.6%), and the mortality rate (3.2%) was statistically lower than that in IT group (14.3%, P<0.05). Among the 16 patients who did not receive IT, 14 patients changed to accept bridging treatment (2 family members refused re-thrombectomy); the vascular recanalization rate (78.6%), intracranial hemorrhage rate (14.3%), treatment effective rate (50.0%), good prognosis rate (57.1%), and mortality rate (7.1%) showed no significant differences as compared with those in the MT group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For patients with acute vertebrobasilar occlusive cerebral infarction, MT can improve the vascular recanalization rate and clinical prognosis; even after the failure of IT, re-thrombectomy (bridging treatment) is still safe and effective.
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Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectory with a tri-axial system of the solitaire AB stent through a Navien delivery catheter to treatment acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion. Methods: The clinical data of 16 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke of vertebrobasilar artery occlusion treated with the Solitaire AB device from March 2016 to March 2018 in Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shihezi University, were extracted and then retrospectively analyzed.Recanalization rate as well as complications after treatment were analysized. Also, neurological functions of the patients before and after operation 1 weeks, measured by National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score were compared via t test and the clinical outcomes were assessed by modified Rankin score (mRS) at 90 days after operation. Results: There were 10 male and 6 female patients with a median age of 59 years (ranging from 45 to 78 years).Fourteen patients resulted in successfully recanalization, and 2 cases failed both of whose onset to sheath mean time were 8.5 hours.The NIHSS score at 7 days was 13±7, which was significantly decreased compared to the admission NIHSS score 24±4 (P=0.000).No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage case was found after operation.At 90 days, 8 patients achieved good outcome (mRS 0 to 2), one patient died (mRS 6),two patients moderately seriously disabled (mRS 4).Three patients resulted in moderate outcome (mRS 3).In 3 cases of death,2 patients died due to failure in recanalization,another patient died of severe pulmonary infection. Conclusion: The results suggest that this technique of a tri-axial system used of the Solitaire AB stent through a Navien delivery catheter can effectively retrieve clots from the occlusive artery and improves functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke of vertebrobasilar artery.