Superficial temporal artery--middle cerebral artery anastomosis for acute cerebral ischemia: the effect of small augmentation of blood flow.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of acute cerebral revascularisation, we conducted a review of 70 patients with acute arterial occlusion or severe stenosis. Of these, 35 underwent emergency superficial temporal artery--middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis (surgical group) and the other 35 were treated conservatively (non-surgical group) at different times. Statistical analysis indicated that the two groups were homogeneous for the prognostic indicators. Seven days after admission, neurological symptoms and signs improved in 43% of patients in the surgical group and in 29% of the non-surgical group, however, this difference was not significant. The ratios of independent life at 3 months were 51% and 31%, respectively (not significant). Subgroup analyses indicated that final outcomes for patients with mild to moderate paresis on admission were significantly better in the surgical group than in the non-surgical group (94% vs. 53%, p < 0.01). The ratios of haemorrhagic infarction, neurological worsening, and mortality were comparable between the two groups. Time of ischaemia is a less important factor in the criteria for surgical selection. Acute revascularisation in selected patients does improve a natural course and could be a therapeutic option for acute cerebral ischaemia.