title: Mechanical thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke with endovascular photoacoustic recanalization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present the results of endovascular photoacoustic recanalization (EPAR) treatment for acute ischemic stroke from the Safety and Performance Study at 6 centers in Europe and North America. The objectives of mechanical thrombolysis are rapid vessel recanalization and minimal use of chemical thrombolysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a prospective, nonrandomized study. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score were recorded before treatment. The presence of recanalization was assessed by angiography. To measure outcome, follow-up examinations were performed at 24 hours, 7 days, and 30 days after stroke onset.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-four patients (median NIHSS 19) were enrolled. Ten patients had internal carotid artery occlusion, 12 patients had middle cerebral artery occlusion, 11 patients had vertebrobasilar occlusion, and 1 patient had posterior cerebral artery occlusion. The overall recanalization rate was 41.1% (14/34). Complete EPAR treatment was possible in 18 patients (median NIHSS 18), with vessel recanalization in 11 patients (61.1%) after EPAR. The average lasing time was 9.65 minutes. Incomplete EPAR treatment (16/34, median NIHSS 19) was defined as intention to treat with EPAR and that the EPAR microcatheter entered the patient. Additional treatment with intraarterial application of rTPA occurred in 13 patients. An adverse event associated with use of the device occurred in 1 patient. Symptomatic hemorrhages occurred in 2 patients (5.9%). The mortality rate was 38.2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the safety and technical feasibility of EPAR. This new technique may provide another treatment option in the therapeutic armamentarium for patients with acute ischemic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, University of Freiburg, Breisacherstr 64 D-79106, Freiburg, Germany. BERLIS@nz11.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: Ansgar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berlis
authors.forename: Helmi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lutsep
authors.forename: Stan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barnwell
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Norbash
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wechsler
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Jungreis
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woolfenden
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Redekop
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schumacher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017222:Angioplasty, Balloon, Laser-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020521:Stroke / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator