Intra-arterial Thrombolytic Therapy for Acute Vertebrobasilar Artery Occlusion.

Overview

We report on the results of intra-arterial thrombolysis in 11 patients with vertebrobasilar artery occlusion treated within 6 hours after onset of symptoms. Urokinase (5 patients) or recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) (6 patients) was injected through a microcatheter conducted to the thrombus. Eight patients showed recanalization of the thrombus. The outcome was excellent in 5 patients, good in 2 patients, and poor in one patient. Recanalization could not be achieved in 3 of the 11 procedures; all patients in whom recanalization failed died. There were no hemorrhagic complications after thrombolysis. Two patients with residual stenosis after thrombolysis underwent successful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) to prevent reocclusion. Intra-arterial thrombolysis for vertebrobasilar artery occlusion is a safe and effective treatment if it is performed within 6 hours.