Background Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator with or without mechanical thrombectomy during the acute phase are approved therapies for ischaemic stroke. Due to the short treatment time window (<6 hours) and often treatment failure, these patients would still have an intracranial arterial occlusion (IAO). It is unclear whether these patients can benefit from subsequent interventional recanalizationof their occluded artery in the subacute phase. In this retrospective study, we have examined the efficacy and safety in patients who have received either percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) for IAO in the subacute phase of their stroke.

Methods Patients with subacute symptomatic ischaemic stroke caused by IAO were assessed to identify the responsible artery and low perfusion areas by CT angiography, MR angiography or digital subtraction angiography. In eligible patients, a PTA or PTAS was performed to reopen the occluded artery. Regular antithrombotic therapy, use of statins, control of risk factors and rehabilitation therapy were prescribed after the procedure. All patients had regular follow-up up to 12 months.

Results PTA or PTAS was performed in 16 patients with cerebral infarction caused by IAO in the subacute phase. After the procedure, 12 cases were recanalized, two were partially recanalized and two failed to open. One patient with left C6 segment occlusion of the carotid artery had a central retinal artery embolism after PTAS. The perioperative adverse events were 6.25%. At 3 months, the distribution of modified Rankin scale scores was 0 (seven cases), 1 (three cases), 2 (five cases) and 3 (one case).

Conclusion Selective PTA or PTAS could be performed in ischaemic stroke patients with a small infarct size and large area of hypoperfusion from an occluded large cerebral artery after the acute phase. It may improve neurological dysfunction and reduce the incidence of disability.