Intra-Arterial Treatment for Patients with Severe Acute Vertebrobasilar Occlusion: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Recently, favorable outcomes from several randomized controlled trials of rapid endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke has emerged.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study is to present our clinical experience in severe acute vertebrobasilar occlusion (AVBO) using intra-arterial treatment (IAT).

METHODS: Twenty patients with ischemic stroke in the vertebrobasilar circulation treated by IAT between March 2011 and December 2014 were included. We retrospectively assessed National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission and at discharge, Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale, and clinical outcome using modified Rankin scale (mRs) at 90 days, and causes of stroke were prospectively assessed.

RESULTS: The mean NIHSS score on admission was 26.4 ± 7.9 (range 9-33) points. The mean time from symptom onset to revascularization was 349.5 ± 124.0 (range 201-579) minutes. Successful recanalization (TICI ≥2b) was achieved in 19 (95.0%) patients. The mean NIHSS score at discharge was 5.7 ± 9.0 (range 0-30) points. A favorable clinical outcome (mRS ≤2) was observed in 12 (60.0%) patients at 90 days and mortality was 25.0% (n = 5).

CONCLUSION: IAT for AVBO provides high rate of recanalization, favorable clinical outcome, and improved survival.