title: Endovascular stroke therapy: a single-center retrospective review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke delivers direct therapy at the site of an occluded cerebral artery and can be employed beyond the 3-4.5-hour window limit set for intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. In this paper, the authors report their experience with various endovascular therapies in acute ischemic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors conducted a retrospective review of their clinical database for acute ischemic stroke in large-vessel cerebral territories that underwent endovascular treatment between May 2005 and February 2009. Endovascular treatment was defined as pharmacological and/or mechanical intervention, angioplasty, stenting, or a combination of these methods. Admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and the modified Rankin Scale scores were recorded. Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) scores of 0, 1, 2A, 2B, and 3 were used to define recanalization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty procedures were performed in 39 patients, with 1 patient having sequential bilateral strokes. Nine patients were lost to follow-up after discharge. Strokes in the carotid artery circulation occurred in 82.5% of cases, and those in the vertebral-basilar territory occurred in 17.5%. The Merci device was used in 22 (55%) of 40 procedures, and the Penumbra device in 9 (22.5%) of 40. Angioplasty was performed in 15 (37.5%) of 40 procedures, and intraarterial recombinant tissue plasminogen activator was administered in 23 (57.5%) of 40 procedures. In 23 (57.5%) of 40 cases, multiple recanalization methods were used. The recanalization rate for all methods was 60%. The recanalization rate from TIMI Score 0/1 occlusions was 71.4% (20 of 28). An estimated modified Rankin Scale score of ≤ 2 was obtained in 11 (36.7%) of 30 cases. The overall mortality rate was 26.7% (8 of 30). Intracerebral hemorrhage at 24 hours postprocedure was noted in 17 (42.5%) of 40 cases, 3 (7.5%) of which were symptomatic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors' institution performs endovascular stroke treatment with a safety and efficacy profile comparable to those of other major endovascular stroke therapy studies. Recanalization was associated with an improved clinical outcome. Protocols to maximize efficient triage of patients and better documentation of stroke treatments can assist in further studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Joseph Neurology Associates, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Jason S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hurley
authors.forename: Mohamad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chmayssani
authors.forename: Rudy J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Rahme
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Alberts
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: Guilherme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dabus
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shaibani
authors.forename: Bernard R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Bendok
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000379:methods; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002548:Cerebral Revascularization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D020521:Stroke / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator