title: Multimodal reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke: factors predicting vessel recanalization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endovascular therapies using mechanical and pharmacological modalities for large vessel occlusions in acute stroke are rapidly evolving. Our aim was to determine whether one modality is associated with higher recanalization rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed 168 consecutive patients treated with intra-arterial (IA) therapy for acute ischemic stroke between May 1999 and November 15, 2005. Demographic, clinical, radiographic, angiographic, and procedural notes were reviewed. Recanalization was defined as achieving thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 2 or 3 flow after intervention. A logistic regression model was constructed to determine independent predictors of successful recanalization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 168 patients were reviewed with a mean age of 64+/-13 years and mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 17+/-4. Recanalization was achieved in 106 (63%) patients. Independent predictors of recanalization include: the combination of IA thrombolytics and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (odds ratio [OR], 2.9 [95% CI, 1.04 to 6.7]; P<0.048), intracranial stent placement with angioplasty (OR, 4.8 [95% CI, 1.8 to 10.0]; P<0.001), or extracranial stent placement with angioplasty (OR, 4.2 [95% CI, 1.4 to 9.8]; P<0.014). Lesions at the terminus of the internal carotid artery were recalcitrant to revascularization (OR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.16 to 0.73]; P value 0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intracranial or extracranial stenting or combination therapy with IA thrombolytics and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in the setting of multimodal therapy is associated with successful recanalization in patients treated with multimodal endovascular reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Stroke Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Rishi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Nirav A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Vora
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.forename: Ashis H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Tayal
authors.forename: Maxim D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hammer
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uchino
authors.forename: Elad I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Lawrence R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Wechsler
authors.forename: Tudor G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Jovin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D008875:Middle Aged; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011379:Prognosis; D015424:Reperfusion / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015607:Stents; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex