Endovascular Recanalization for Nonacute Intracranial Vertebral Artery Occlusion According to a New Classification.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular recanalization for patients with nonacute intracranial vertebral artery occlusion remains clinically challenging. We aim to evaluate the feasibility and safety of endovascular recanalization for nonacute intracranial vertebral artery occlusion and propose a new angiographic classification.

METHODS

Fifty patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic nonacute intracranial vertebral artery occlusion from January 2015 to December 2019 were analyzed, retrospectively. The rate of recanalization, peri-procedural complications, and follow-up results were evaluated. All patients were divided into 4 groups according to an angiographic classification.

RESULTS

Among the 50 patients, 38 (76%) achieved successful recanalization. Any stroke or death within 30 days was 4% (2/50). From type I to type IV, the recanalization rate gradually decreased (94.1%, 76.9%, 70%, and 50%, respectively, P=0.012), while the perioperative complication rate gradually increased (0.0%, 7.7%, 20%, and 50%, respectively, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular recanalization may be feasible and safe for carefully selected patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic nonacute intracranial vertebral artery occlusion and, therefore, represents an alternative treatment, especially for type I and type II patients.