Short term efficacy and technical study of endovascular recanalization technique in the treatment of non-acute occlusion of internal carotid artery

Objective To investigate the technical details, safety, feasibility and clinical results of endovascular recanalization for non-acute internal carotid artery occlusion. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in 13 patients with non-acute internal carotid artery occlusion who underwent endovascular revascularization from June 2015 to May 2016 at Department of Neurosurgery, TEDA Hospital. The technical aspects of the procedure and angiographic predictors of success were analyzed. Results The occluded artery was successfully recanalized in 12 of 13 patients (92%). There was no procedural or new cerebral ischemic event except for 1 case of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and 1 case of asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, which occurred post procedure and had no neurologic sequelae. CT perfusion was performed in 7 cases after operation, and the delay of perfusion was significantly improved. No new cerebral ischemic event was observed during the follow-up lasting from 3 months to 1 year. Symptoms were improved during follow-up in all patients with successful recanalization, and the improvement rate was 100%. Conclusions This preliminary study seems to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of endovascular recanalization technique in the treatment of non-acute internal carotid artery occlusion, and the long-term effect needs further investigation. Complete preoperative evaluation and individualized technique of recanalization could help improve the surgical success rate. Key words: Carotid artery, internal; Arterial occlusion disease; Endovascular procedures; Treatment outcome