Catheter-based treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke ineligible for intravenous thrombolysis.
OBJECTIVE
We present our single-center experience using catheter-based therapy for acute ischemic stroke patients who were not candidates for intravenous thrombolytic therapy.


METHODS
Neurologic outcomes were assessed in patients with acute ischemic stroke, ineligible for intravenous thrombolysis, treated with an emergent catheter-based therapy.


RESULTS
Nonparametric analysis of neurological outcomes demonstrated a benefit in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at long-term follow-up (P=0.036). Independence in daily activities and improvement in NIHSS of > or =4 points were achieved in 38% and 56% of patients, respectively. Four patients (25%) died, including 2 patients (12.5%) who died from intracranial hemorrhage.


CONCLUSIONS
Catheter-based treatment offers a promising treatment strategy in patients with acute ischemic stroke ineligible for intravenous thrombolysis.
Ramee
Stephen R
SR
Department of Cardiology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, La 70121, USA. sramee@ochsner.org
Subramanian
Rajesh
R
Felberg
Robert A
RA
McKinley
Kevin L
KL
Jenkins
J Stephen
JS
Collins
Tyrone J
TJ
Dawson
Robert C
RC
White
Christopher J
CJ
D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000379:methods*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000517:prevention & control; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D015607:Stents; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use
D006493:Heparin; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator