[Intra-arterial thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke of the cervical internal carotid artery occlusive disease].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the safety and efficacy of local intra-arterial thrombolysis (LIT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke of cervical internal carotid artery occlusive disease.

METHODS

10 patients were treated by LIT. 2 of 10 patients were further treated by either angioplasty or endarterectomy. Primary neuroradiological assessment was performed with CT in all patients. Angiographic recanalization level was classified according to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grades. Clinical outcome was classified as good for Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) scores of 0 to 3 and as poor for MRS scores of 4 to 6.

RESULTS

Complete/partial recanalization after infusion was accomplished in 8 patients, seven of whom had good clinical outcome. Cerebral hemorrhage occurred in 2 of 10 patients.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that LIT may be helpful to improve the outcome in patients with acute cervical internal carotid artery occlusive disease if it is performed within 6 hours of stroke onset.