Acute combined revascularization in acute ischemic stroke with intracranial arterial occlusion: self-expanding solitaire stent during intravenous thrombolysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of the self-expanding Solitaire stent used during intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for intracranial arterial occlusion (IAO) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive nonselected patients with AIS with IAO documented on computed tomographic angiography or magnetic resonance angiography and treated with IVT were included in this prospective study. Stent intervention was initiated and performed during administration of IVT without waiting for any clinical or radiologic signs of potential recanalization. Stroke severity was assessed by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and 90-day clinical outcome was assessed by modified Rankin scale (mRS), with a good outcome defined as an mRS score of 0-2. Recanalization was rated by thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) scale.

RESULTS: Fifty patients (mean age, 66.8 y ± 14.6) had a baseline median NIHSS score of 18.0. Overall recanalization was achieved in 94% of patients, and complete recanalization (ie, TICI 3 flow) was achieved in 72% of patients. The mean time from stroke onset to maximal recanalization was 244.2 minutes ± 87.9, with a median of 232.5 minutes. The average number of device passes was 1.5, with a mean procedure time to maximal recanalization of 49.5 minutes ± 13.0. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 6% of patients. The median mRS score at 90 days was 1, and 60% of patients had a good outcome (ie, mRS score 0-2). The overall 3-month mortality rate was 14%.

CONCLUSIONS: Combined revascularization with the Solitaire stent during IVT appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of acute IAO.