Endovascular Revascularization of Nonacute Symptomatic Proximal Extracranial Vertebral Artery Occlusion

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, success rate, and safety of endovascular revascularization of nonacute symptomatic proximal extracranial vertebral artery occlusion (PEVAO).

Methods: In a retrospective, single-center study, we analyzed clinical and imaging data from consecutive patients with PEVAO who underwent endovascular revascularization from June 2011 to March 2018.

Results: The study enrolled 23 patients (mean age, 59 years; range, 42-77 years; 17 men). The rate of successful technical revascularization was 91.3% (n = 21), and the rate of complications was 4.3% (n = 1). At 3-month follow-up, the patients with successful endovascular revascularization of nonacute symptomatic PEVAO did not present any neurologic symptoms and computed tomography angiography did not show restenosis of the stent.

Conclusions: Endovascular revascularization of nonacute symptomatic PEVAO is feasible and associated with a high rate of procedural success and low rate of procedural complications. A large, multicenter, randomized study is warranted to confirm the findings.

Keywords: Endovascular revascularization; Nonacute; Occlusion; Symptomatic; Vertebral artery.