Techniques in vascular and interventional radiology
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Mar 2012
ReviewPast, present, and future perspectives on the endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
Interventional neuroradiology plays a continuously expanding and exciting role in the treatment of acute stroke, as evidenced by the development of several important advances, including the advent of multiple new devices and therapies. Furthermore, guidelines regarding endovascular interventions in the setting of acute stroke have been developed and used. In addition to technological advances, the field of pharmacology in the setting of acute stroke is constantly evolving. In a rapidly expanding field, we aim to review significant recent advances related to the endovascular treatment of stroke as well as provide perspective for future directions.
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Mar 2012
ReviewIntra-arterial thrombolysis: tissue plasminogen activator and other thrombolytic agents.
Recanalization rates with the administration of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator in acute ischemic stroke are low. Adjuvant endovascular techniques that achieve recanalization by direct intra-arterial (IA) delivery of thrombolytics, mechanical clot retrieval, clot aspiration, and stenting may complement intravenous pharmacotherapy. IA thrombolytics can be administered within 6 hours of symptom onset in anterior circulation strokes and within 24 hours in posterior circulation strokes. This review describes the indications, patient selection, and technique for IA administration of thrombolytics.
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Mar 2012
ReviewEndovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke: current indications.
Endovascular stroke therapy is an effective means of achieving reperfusion in stroke patients with proximal cerebral artery occlusions. However, current guideline recommendations express uncertainty regarding the clinical efficacy of catheter-based treatments, given the lack of supportive trial data. ⋯ This article will review the existing data to discuss the clinical and imaging factors that are relevant to patient outcomes, and which may be used to guide endovascular treatment decisions. Anterior circulation strokes represent the primary focus of this review.
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Mar 2012
Acute stroke: postprocedural care and management of complications.
Endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke is an important alternative to thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for patients who present beyond the thrombolysis time window, those who are ineligible for rt-PA, or those who do not improve after intravenous rt-PA. These patients generally require special attention in the postprocedural period because, although not frequent, complications of endovascular procedures in acute ischemic stroke have the potential to be devastating. ⋯ Neurointensivists and neurocritical care nurses are experts in both critical care and neurologic disorders and have special training to recognize early physiological derangements in patients presenting with acute stroke. Close attention to the serial neurological examination, blood pressure control, adequate management of glucose, temperature, and immediate identification of complications such as reocclusion and hemorrhagic transformation are key elements that exemplify the importance of postprocedural neurocritical care in acute ischemic stroke.
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Mar 2012
Current indications and results of thrombolysis by intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.
A number of landmark trials have proven the efficacy of thrombolysis by intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in the acute phase of the ischemic stroke. Despite the recently extended time window of 4.5 hours, the number of people who are being treated in most centers is low. ⋯ A major effort is to extend the time window by bridging the treatment with neuroprotective approaches, or by identifying subgroups that may particularly benefit from recanalization and reperfusion. Procedures using ultrasounds or alternative intravenous compounds are also being investigated with promising results.