Treatment of Acute Vertebrobasilar Occlusion Using Thrombectomy with Stent Retrievers: Initial Experience with 18 Patients

• DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a3329
• Publication Date: 2012-11-02T02:29:56Z
• Authors: M. Espinosa de Rueda; G. Parrilla; J. Zamarro; B. García-Villalba; F. Hernández; A. Moreno
• Keywords: Solitaire Cryptographic Algorithm; Etiology; Stroke

Acute vertebrobasilar occlusion is an ominous disease with few proved effective treatments. Experience stent retrievers scarce and limited to combined therapies (stent associated previous intravenous fibrinolysis, intra-arterial thrombolysis, or other mechanical devices). We present our experience 18 patients treated direct thrombectomy by using retrievers.Eighteen were at hospital. The mean age was 67.5 years. Clinical presentation sudden deterioration in consciousness level 61.2% progressive fluctuating brain stem symptoms 38.8%. Stroke subtype (TOAST) atherothrombotic (33.3%), undetermined cardioembolic (27.7%), of unusual etiology (5.5%).The site the vertebral artery 1 case, proximal basilar 4, middle 6, distal 5, unilateral posterior cerebral 2 cases. SRs included Solitaire AB 8 cases, FR 5 Trevo Pro An 8F Merci balloon guide catheter used 15 patients, a Neuron 6F, 3 patients. Post-clot retrieval definitive intracranial stents (27.7%). Postprocedural TICI ≥ 2b achieved 17 (94.4%). Clinically, 72.2% experienced improved NIHSS score discharge, 22.2% died, 5.5% scores did not change. mRS months 0-2 9 (50%) 3-5 (27.7%).Thrombectomy feasible treatment occlusion. These initial results must be confirmed further prospective studies larger number