[Endovascular treatment of acute extracranial carotid artery occlusion]

Acute extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusions resulting in ischemic stroke are different from other forms of acute occlusions of cerebral vessels. The pathophysiological process involved in occlusion of the extracranial ICA is similar to processes observed in acute occlusion of the coronary arteries. The occluded segment of the ICA predominantly consists of an atherosclerotic plaque and a superimposed thrombus. Although the value of endovascular therapy has been established for intracranial occlusions, the acute treatment of extracranial ICA occlusions has not yet been proven in randomized studies. In these patients primary stenting of acute extracranial occlusions of the ICA is a treatment option with good clinical results. This review discusses the endovascular treatment of acute extracranial ICA occlusions.