Published in:
01-12-2016 | Interventional Neuroradiology
Endovascular treatment of acute internal carotid artery dissections: technical considerations, clinical and angiographic outcome
Published in: Neuroradiology | Issue 12/2016
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Introduction
In acute internal carotid artery dissection (a-ICAD) with concomitant intracranial large vessel occlusion or haemodynamic impairment, the effectiveness of medical treatment is limited and endovascular therapy (EVT) can be considered. Feasibility, safety and outcome of EVT in a-ICAD are not well described yet.
Methods
From an institutional database, we retrospectively selected consecutive patients treated for a-ICAD between January 2007 and July 2015. We assessed recanalization results defining <50 % residual stenosis and mTICI ≥2b as successful. Procedural adverse events and symptomatic haemorrhages were reported as well as clinical outcome at 90 days defining a mRS ≤2 as favourable. Follow-up angiographies were reviewed and retreatments reported.
Results
In the defined period, 73 patients (mean age 48 years (31–73), mean NIHSS 11 (0–27)) received EVT for a-ICAD. The majority (60 %) had tandem occlusions. Cervical artery reconstruction was successful in 100 % and intracranial thrombectomy in 85 %. Thrombus formation (18 %) and thromboembolism (20 %) were the most frequent adverse events but clinically relevant only in 8 %. Symptomatic haemorrhage occurred in 5 %. Clinical outcome was favourable in 64 %, with a lower chance after tandem occlusion (55 vs. 79 %, p = 0.047). Death rate was 10 %. None of the patients developed recurrent ischaemic symptoms, but control angiography revealed abnormal findings of the reconstructed ICA in 38 % leading to retreatment in 17 %.
Conclusion
EVT of a-ICAD is feasible with a predominantly favourable clinical outcome. Improvement of devices and techniques is warranted to reduce the risk of thrombus formation and thromboembolism during treatment and insufficient vessel wall healing thereafter.