Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

The 45th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Neurology

Consensus and controversy in the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases

Nobuyuki Sakai, M.D.1)3)4), Terumasa Kuroiwa, M.D.3)4), Manabu Sakaguchi, M.D.2)3), Makoto Takano, M.D.2)3), Hideyuki Ishihara, M.D.1), Asuka Morizane, M.D.1), Chiaki Sakai, M.D.4), Satoshi Nakao, M.D.1) and Haruhiko Kikuchi, M.D.1)3)

1)Department of Neurosurery, 2)Neurology, 3)Stroke Center, Kobe City General Hospital
4)Division of Neuroendovascular Therapy, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation

Surgical and endovascular revascularization for ischemic cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) should be strictly indicated based on medical treatment. In this report, we describe current consensus and controversy in the treatment of ischemic CVD, and perspectives. 1) Local intra-arterial fibrinolytic therapy for acute cerebral embolism; intra-venous t-PA can be beneficial when given within 3 hours of stroke onset (NINDS), but many patients present later after stroke onset and alternative treatments are needed. Despite an increased frequency intracranial hemorrhage, treatment with intra-arterial proUK within 6 hours for MCA occlusion significantly improved clinical outcome at 90 days (mRS 40%>25%, PROACT-II). MELT-Japan are going now and waiting for results. 2) Carotid stenting; Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) has been proposed as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in those considered at high risk for CEA. SAPPHIRE study confirmed CAS is an excellent option for patients with coexisting coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and other comorbid conditions that make them poor candidates for CEA. Now, CREST in USA and CSSA in Europe are going for randomized trial compared with CEA and CAS in any risk for CEA patients. 3) Stenting for intracranial arteries; Stroke rates in patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis may be high on medical therapy. Although there is no clinical evidence and appropriate devices for intracranial vessels, it seems to be a potentially effective in the future.

(CLINICA NEUROL, 44: 760－762, 2004)
key words: ischemic cerebrovascular stroke, carotid stenting, intravascular intervention

(Received: 12-May-04)