Endovascular Revascularization of Nonacute Symptomatic Proximal Extracranial Vertebral Artery Occlusion

To evaluate the feasibility, success rate, and safety of endovascular revascularization of nonacute symptomatic proximal extracranial vertebral artery occlusion (PEVAO).

In a retrospective, single-center study, we analyzed clinical and imaging data from consecutive patients with PEVAO who underwent endovascular revascularization from June 2011 to March 2018.

The study enrolled 23 patients (mean age, 59 years; range, 42-77 years; 17 men). The rate of successful technical revascularization was 91.3% (n = 21), and the rate of complications was 4.3% (n = 1). At 3-month follow-up, the patients with successful endovascular revascularization of nonacute symptomatic PEVAO did not present any neurologic symptoms and computed tomography angiography did not show restenosis of the stent.

Endovascular revascularization of nonacute symptomatic PEVAO is feasible and associated with a high rate of procedural success and low rate of procedural complications. A large, multicenter, randomized study is warranted to confirm the findings.