Rapid Recovery from Subacute to Chronic Ischemic Stroke Following Revascularization by Carotid Stenting: Preliminary Findings

Background: Rapid neurological recovery from subacute to chronic ischemic stroke in subset of patients following carotid revascularization was observed. Objective: Retrospective analysis of data of the patients who had shown rapid recovery from subacute to chronic ischemic stroke following revascularization by Carotid stenting. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed pooled data from our carotid stenting patients done during January 2009 to January 2020.The inclusion criterion of the study was patients with rapid recovery within 24 h following revascularization by carotid stenting. There were total of 12 such patients. There were 8 males and 4 females. Apart from NIHSS, stroke severity was measured on MRI by ASPECTS score and cognitive function by MMSE. Each of these patients has undergone Carotid Stenting with distal protection for high-grade stenosis. Results: All of these 12 patients had Prestenting ASPECTS score ranging 8-10. Prestenting NIHSS score was ranging from 6-12 with an average of 8. Postprocedure NIHSS score was decreased to a range of 0-4 with average of 3.Prestenting MMSE was ranging 14-20 with an average of 18 score which turned into Post-stenting MMSE scale ranging 24-28 with an average of 26.Each of these patients shows decrease in NIHSS score by at least 50% in 24h to be called rapid recovery or Lazarus phenomenon. Additionally, they show significant improvement in cognitive function on MMSE scale. Conclusion: Rapid recovery from subacute to chronic ischemic stroke following revascularization by Carotid Stenting is potentially feasible in subset of patient who has mild to moderate deficit but high ASPECTS score.

Automated summary

This study retrospectively analyzed data of patients who underwent carotid stenting and found that some patients showed rapid neurological recovery from subacute to chronic ischemic stroke. These patients demonstrated significant improvement in both neurological and cognitive functions after the procedure.