Long-term follow-up of patients after intraarterial thrombolytic therapy of acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion

Local thrombolysis may reduce mortality after acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion. We focused on variables affecting recanalization, outcome and lo ng-term prognosis. Thirty-six patients with vertebrobasilar artery occlusio n were treated with local intraarterial thrombolytic therapy. Four of the s urvivors were among the 16 patients without recanalization. Recanalization was associated with a higher survival rate. Top-of-the-basilar-type occlusi ons have the highest recanalization rate. The thrombolytic medication used did not influence the recanalization frequency. One patient died due to an intracerebral bleed after thrombolysis. There was no association between th e time interval (greater or less than 6 h) between the onset of symptoms an d therapy initiation and survival. Relapses during follow-up (mean follow-u p 3.7 years) did not occur. MRI/MRA and ultrasound studies during follow-up showed unchanged results in these patients. All survivors at the time of f ollow-up lived at home. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.