Recanalization following various endovascular modalities for treatment of anterior circulation acute ischemic strokes.

Currently several endovascular modalities and devices are available for use in acute ischemic stroke setting. Limited data exist regarding the relative efficacy of these different options when used individually or in combination. The primary objective of this study was to retrospectively compare the recanalization rates of various endovascular options when used for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in the anterior cerebral circulation.

Does mild deficit for patients with stroke justify the use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator?

Intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is an effective medication currently used to treat acute ischemic stroke within 3 hours of symptom onset in patients with an identifiable clinical deficit measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Some reports suggest that patients with milder acute ischemic stroke may improve spontaneously and may not benefit additionally from IV thrombolysis. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the outcomes of patients at our stroke center who received IV t-PA treatment for acute ischemic stroke, within 3 hours of symptom onset, outside the setting of a clinical trial and had a NIHSS score of less than or equal to 10 compared with historic control subjects.

Bifid direct aortic arch origin of left vertebral artery: a unique vascular variant.

The present report describes an unusual case of a duplicated origin of the left vertebral artery from the aorta discovered incidentally in a young patient. Computed tomographic angiography followed by conventional angiography demonstrated this anomaly. Angiographic findings and vertebral artery embryogenesis and anomalies are discussed.