Excimer Laser–Assisted High-Flow Extracranial/Intracranial Bypass in Patients With Symptomatic Carotid Artery Occlusion at High Risk of Recurrent Cerebral Ischemia

Abstract

Background and Purpose— The goal of this study was to determine safety and long-term outcome of the excimer laser–assisted high-flow extracranial/intracranial (EC/IC) bypass in patients with symptomatic carotid artery occlusion (CAO) at high risk of recurrent stroke. Methods— In a prospectively collected cohort of 103 patients with symptomatic CAO, 15 patients were selected for excimer laser–assisted EC/IC bypass surgery on the basis of predefined selection criteria: (1) transient or moderately disabling symptoms of focal cerebral ischemia, not symptoms of the retina only; (2) continuing symptoms after documentation of the CAO; (3) evidence of a possible hemodynamic origin of symptoms; and (4) informed consent of the patient. Results— Eleven patients underwent the operation without complications One patient had a severely disabling stroke (Rankin grade 4) 11 days after the operation; the bypass was found occluded on reoperation. Two other patients had a moderately disabling stroke (Rankin grade 3) immediately after the operation. One patient died of myocardial infarction 1 day after surgery. Median follow-up time was 27 months. Of the 11 patients who underwent the operation without complications, 1 died 17 months after the operation of a brainstem stroke, and another patient had a new stroke ipsilateral to his CAO 10 months after the operation but without a change in Rankin grade. Conclusions— The excimer laser–assisted high-flow EC/IC bypass operation is a potentially promising procedure in patients with symptomatic CAO and a presumably high risk of recurrent stroke, but the procedure carries a definite risk. This risk is probably related not only to the procedure itself but also to the selection of patients.