Endovascular thrombolysis and stenting for acute carotid occlusion

Case reports and series of endovascular treatment of internal carotid artery occlusion have confirmed the feasibility of this technique. Intraarterial thrombolysis within 6 hours of stroke onset may increase recanalization rates to 37–100% and clinical improvement to 53–94% without a significant increase in the hemorrhagic transformation when compared with intravenous thrombolytic therapy alone. Although results appear promising, randomized controlled trials on cervical carotid thrombolysis and/or stenting are lacking.