Angioplasty of acute occluded cerebral arteries

22 cases of stenosed or occluded cerebral arteries were treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in acute stage. There were 10 internal carotid lesions, 4 middle cerebral artery lesions, 5 intracranial vertebral artery lesions, and 3 basilar artery lesions. 14 cases were treated for residual stenosis after recanalization using urokinase. Successful dilatation (over 50%) was achieved in 16 cases (73%).3 lesions were inaccessible due to atherosclerotic change. There were no major complications. Restenosis was observed in 4 internal carotid lesions and 1 middle cerebral lesion. 7 (50%) cases with internal carotid lesions and 5 (63%) cases with vertebrobasilar lesions returned to their previous life. The results suggest that PTA in acute stage is feasible for occlusive disease of cerebral arteries.