[Progression of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke]

Percutaneous transluminal recanalization(PTR)has been performed for more than 20 years and progressing because of the development of endovascular devices. However, the results have been changing dramatically since PTR was first introduced owing to dynamic social environments. Thus, we evaluated the progression of the treatment by reviewing the medical records of patients who received the treatment.

The present author has worked in three hospitals and performed PTR for 39 cases of acute ischemic stroke from 1996 to 1998. From 2012 to 2014, PTR was performed for 57 cases, and results were compared between the early and recent periods by using patient medical files and records.

Elderly patients were treated with PTR in the recent period. The main target of PTR was the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery in the early period. The internal carotid artery-to-posterior circulation ratio increased in the recent period. Regarding the methods of PTR, mechanical retrieval devices were mainly used in the recent period and resulted in a significantly more complete recanalization. The recovery rate based on the Glasgow outcome scale score increased, and the mortality rate decreased significantly in the recent period.

Along with the development of endovascular devices, the results of PTR have been improving.