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(Stroke. 2008;39:2392.)
© 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.

Research Letters

Interventional Acute Ischemic Stroke Therapy With Intracranial Self-Expanding Stent

Osama O. Zaidat, MD, MS; Thomas Wolfe, MD; Syed I. Hussain, MD; John R. Lynch, MD; Rishi Gupta, MD; Joanna Delap, RN; Michel T. Torbey, MD, MPH Brian-Fred Fitzsimmons, MD

From the Department of Neurology (O.O.Z., T.W., S.I.H., J.R.L., J.D., M.T.T., B.-F.S.), Medical College of Wisconsin and Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, Wis; and the Department of Neurology (R.G.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.

Correspondence to Osama O. Zaidat, MD, MS, Vascular and Interventional Neurology, Director, Neurointerventional Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Neurology, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226. E-mail szaidat{at}mcw.edu

Abstract

Background and Purpose— Rapid and safe recanalization of occluded intracranial arteries in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is challenging. Newly available self-expanding intracranial atherosclerotic stents (SEIS), which can be deployed rapidly and safely, make acute stenting an option for treating AIS. We present the feasibility of this technique.

Methods— A retrospective analysis evaluated procedural protocols and clinical response to treatment in patients with AIS treated with SEIS. Descriptive statistics are presented with initial and follow-up National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and modified Rankin Score.

Results— Nine patients with AIS underwent acute SEIS placement. There was successful deployment of the Neuroform (n=4) and Wingspan (n=4/5) stents in the M1/M2 (n=5) and M3 (n=1) middle cerebral artery segments, intracranial internal carotid artery (one of 2), and intracranial vertebrobasilar junction (one). Mean time of SEIS deployment from AIS onset was 5.1 hours. Complete (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia/Thrombolysis in Myocardial Ischemia 3) and partial/complete (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia/Thrombolysis in Myocardial Ischemia 2 or 3) recanalization occurred in 67% and 89%, respectively. One intracranial hemorrhage (11%) and one acute in-stent thrombosis (successfully treated with abciximab and balloon angioplasty) occurred. Stroke-related mortality occurred in 3 of 9 (33%) patients and survivors had modified Rankin Score 2. Follow-up angiography (mean, 8 months; range, 2 to 14 months) in 4 of 9 patients showed no stent restenosis.

Conclusions— This preliminary experience with SEIS in refractory AIS demonstrated the technical feasibility and high rate of recanalization with acute stenting. Long-term safety and strategies to limit in-stent thrombosis and optimize periprocedural management are crucial before initiating future randomized efficacy studies with SEIS in AIS refractory to standard therapy.

Key Words: stroke • Neuroform • Wingspan • stenting • therapy • interventional • intracranial stent • acute stroke therapy