PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Levy, E.I. AU - Sauvageau, E. AU - Hanel, R.A. AU - Parikh, R. AU - Hopkins, L.N. TI - Self-Expanding Versus Balloon-Mounted Stents for Vessel Recanalization Following Embolic Occlusion in the Canine Model: Technical Feasibility Study DP - 2006 Nov 01 TA - American Journal of Neuroradiology PG - 2069--2072 VI - 27 IP - 10 4099 - http://www.ajnr.org/content/27/10/2069.short 4100 - http://www.ajnr.org/content/27/10/2069.full SO - Am. J. Neuroradiol.2006 Nov 01; 27 AB - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite advances in mechanical thrombolysis for acute stroke, recanalization rates remain approximately 50%–60%. Technologic improvements allowed safe intracranial delivery of stents. To study the feasibility of stent-assisted recanalization for acute stroke, we deployed self-expanding or balloon-mounted stents in 2- to 3.5-mm canine vessels acutely occluded with clot emboli.METHODS: Six mongrel dogs were placed under general anesthesia. A guiding catheter was placed in the distal vertebral artery or an external carotid artery branch. A 7 × 3 mm (length × diameter) soft or hard clot was injected into the catheter and allowed to embolize distally; 20 vessels were successfully occluded. After systemic heparin anticoagulation, recanalization with a self-expanding stent was attempted in 11 vessels (5 occluded with soft clot; 6, with hard clot). Balloon-mounted stents were placed in an attempt to revascularize 9 vessels (4 occluded with soft clot; 5, with hard clot). Vessel recanalization was assessed as the primary end point. Side-branch occlusion and stent-induced vasospasm were also assessed.RESULTS: Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction/Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction flow for 11 vessels treated with self-expanding stents versus 9 treated with balloon-mounted stents was as follows: grade 3, 91% of vessels versus 78% of vessels; grade 2, 0% versus 11%; grade 1, 9% versus 0%; grade 0, 0% versus 11%. Lower rates of spasm and side-branch occlusion were noticed with self-expanding stents. Grade 2/3 flow was achieved in 18/20 vessels (90%).CONCLUSIONS: Excellent recanalization was demonstrated with both stents. Recanalization in self-expanding stents was achieved without pre- or post-balloon dilation. Stents may prove to be a useful adjunct for intra-arterial acute stroke treatment.