Recanalization therapy for internal carotid artery occlusion presenting as acute ischemic stroke

We aimed to describe the current status and clinical outcomes of recanalization therapy for internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) presenting as acute ischemic stroke.Using a nationwide stroke registry database in Korea, we identified consecutive ischemic stroke patients with ICAO hospitalized within 12 hours of onset between March 2010 and November 2011.ICAO accounted for 10.6% (322 of 3028) of acute ischemic strokes within 12 hours of onset. Among the 322 ICAO patients, 53% underwent recanalization therapy, 41% intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) alone, and 59% endovascular treatment (EVT). Twenty-two percent of those with mild deficits (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale4) and 50% of those 80 years of age or more received recanalization therapy. Compared with no treatment, recanalization therapy was not significantly associated with a favorable outcome (3-month modified Rankin scale, 0-2) (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], .80-3.91; P = .16). However, compared with IVT, EVT significantly improved the odds of favorable outcome (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.19-6.88; P = .02) without significant increase of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, .42-11.43; P = .36) and 3-month mortality (OR, .53; 95% CI, .23-1.18; P = .12). Successful recanalization rate (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction ≥2a) by EVT was 76%.In Korea, one tenth of acute ischemic stroke was caused by ICAO, and about 50% were treated by recanalization therapy. EVT was widely used as a recanalization modality (about 60% of cases) despite lack of evidence. However, its effectiveness and safety were acceptable.