Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis provides an alternative to intravenous (iv) thrombolysis in selected patients with acute ischemic stroke. Recent advances in the field of neuro-interventional radiology, with the development of extremely soft, compliant microcatheters and steerable microguidewires, along with high-resolution fluoroscopy and digital imaging, and nonionic contrast agents, have made it feasible and safe to access the major intracranial blood vessels around the circle of Willis from a percutaneous transfemoral approach under local anesthesia. Rapid local delivery of fibrinolytic agents is now feasible using these techniques and is performed at many major medical centers in selected patients with acute cerebral ischemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]