CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY AND THROMBOLYSIS - A NEW CONCEPT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF AN ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE

In seven carotid-related acute hemispheric strokes with simultaneous e mbolic occlusion of the middle cerebral artery thrombolysis with uroci nase or rt-PA was performed preoperatively (n=3) or intraoperatively ( n=4) after carotid endarterectomy. Four patients recovered totally, th ree patients showed a remarkable improvement and were able to walk pos toperatively. The combination of carotid endarterectomy and thrombolys is (simultaneous or staged) is a new option in the emergency treatment of an acute carotid-related stroke and should be evaluated in prospec tive interdisciplinary studies.