Does Arterial Recanalization Improve Outcome in Carotid Territory Stroke?

Abstract

Background and Purpose We sought to determine whether early (Methods We prospectively studied 77 patients by combined Scandinavian Stroke Scale score at admission, repeated computed tomography and angiography before and after thrombolytic treatment at Results Recanalization rates at 8 and 24 hours after stroke correlated with sites of occlusion (middle cerebral artery branch, 73% and 73%; trunk, 27% and 38%, respectively; intracranial internal carotid artery bifurcation, 14% and 14%; P =.002), collaterals (good, 43% and 51%, respectively; scarce, 17% and 19%, respectively; P =.01), and Scandinavian Stroke Scale score at admission ( P =.002). Six of 7 patients with delayed recanalization had good outcomes. Recanalization at .15). Conclusions Even if delayed, arterial recanalization may improve clinical outcome in a subgroup of patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion.