High-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging–guided endovascular recanalization for nonacute intracranial artery occlusion

OBJECTIVE On the basis of the characteristics of occluded segments on high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI), the authors evaluated the role of high-resolution MR-VWI–guided endovascular recanalization for patients with symptomatic nonacute intracranial artery occlusion (ICAO). METHODS Consecutive patients with symptomatic nonacute ICAO that was refractory to aggressive medical treatment were prospectively enrolled and underwent endovascular recanalization. High-resolution MR-VWI was performed before the recanalization intervention. The characteristics of the occluded segments on MR-VWI, including signal intensity, occlusion morphology, occlusion angle, and occlusion length, were evaluated. Technical success was defined as arterial recanalization with modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grade 2b or 3 and residual stenosis < 50%. Perioperative complications were recorded. The characteristics of the occluded segments on MR-VWI were compared between the recanalized group and the failure group. RESULTS Twenty-five patients with symptomatic nonacute ICAO that was refractory to aggressive medical treatment were consecutively enrolled from April 2020 to February 2021. Technical success was achieved in 19 patients (76.0%). One patient (4.0%) had a nondisabling ischemic stroke during the perioperative period. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that successful recanalization of nonacute ICAO was associated with occlusion with residual lumen (OR 0.057, 95% CI 0.004–0.735, p = 0.028) and shorter occlusion length (OR 0.853, 95% CI 0.737–0.989, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS The high-resolution MR-VWI modality could be used to guide endovascular recanalization for nonacute ICAO. Occlusion with residual lumen and shorter occlusion length on high-resolution MR-VWI were identified as predictors of technical success of endovascular recanalization for nonacute ICAO.