Large Artery Occlusive Disease in Ischemic Stroke: Clinical and Angiographic Characterization

Large artery occlusive disease, encompassing stenosis in intracranial and extracranial vasculature, is the most common stroke subtype worldwide. In this thesis, we aimed to investigate angiographic plaque morphology and treatments in stroke patients attributed to intracranial and/or extracranial stenosis. A better understanding of intracranial plaque morphology, angiographic characteristics and collateral circulations of extracranial occlusive vasculopathy may help clarify pathogenesis and formulate treatment.;Objectives.;Study 1: In this prospective longitudinal study, we investigated the intracranial plaque morphology of acute stroke patients by three-dimensional rotational angiography (3D-RA).;Study 2: We aimed to delineate the angiographic attributes and collateral circulations in symptomatic occlusive radiation vasculopathy (ORV) patients by a case-controlled study.;Study 3: We investigated the angiographic and clinical outcome of carotid artery stenting (CAS) in stroke patients attributed to ORV.;Methods.;Study 1: Twenty-four patients with acute strokes attributed to a >70% intracranial stenosis were recruited to undergo 3D-RA at baseline and in 12 months after an intensive control of atherosclerotic risks. We described the degree of stenosis and morphology that might be associated with plaque vulnerability.;Study 2: We performed digital subtraction angiograms (DSA) in 96 patients who had first-ever ischemic strokes attributed to ORV, and 115 referent patients who had no radiotherapy (RT) but symptomatic high-grade (>70%) atherosclerotic carotid stenoses. We compared the lesions’ distribution, morphology, and the resultant alteration of collateral flows in both patient groups.;Study 3: We compared the angiographic and clinical outcome of CAS in 63 symtomatic ORV patients and 87 patients with spontaneous atheromatous carotid stenoses. Primary end-points were transient ischemic attack, stroke and death of all causes. Secondary end-point was instent restenosis in 24 months.;Results.;Study 1: Inracranial atherosclerotic plaque is a dynamic lesion. Thickness-to-length ratio may not indicate plaque vulnerability. In 12-month angiogram, 13 patients (50%) had plaque regression, 10 (38.5%) had static plaque, and 3 (11.5%) had plaque progression.;Study 2: Compared with spontaneous atheromatous carotid disease, ORV lesions diffusely involved common carotid artery, and were more frequently bilateral (54% vs 22%), associated with complete occlusion in one or both carotid arteries (30% vs 9%), vertebral artery steno-occlusions (27% vs 14%) (all p<0.05). ORV patients showed more established collateral circulations through leptomeningeal arteries, anterior communicating artery, posterior communicating artery and retrograde flow in ophthalmic artery.;Study 3: We found no significant differences in the frequency of periprocedural complications, the rates of patient survival and stroke recurrence between ORV and control groups.;Conclusions.;Study 1: Evaluation of intracranial plaque morphology is feasible with 3D-RA. Smooth plaques might also be vulnerable in intracranial vasculature. Intensive risk factor control may halt progression of intracranial plaques.;Study 2: ORV patients had more steno-occlusions over carotid and vertebral arteries amid mature collateral circulations at initial stroke presentation. Decompensation of collateral flows may precipitate stroke in ORV.;Study 3: The durability and clinical outcome of CAS in ORV patients were comparable to those in patients with spontaneous atherosclerotic carotid stenosis.