Treatment of Cervical Artery Dissection: Antithrombotics, Thrombolysis, and Endovascular Therapy

Biomed Res Int. 2017:2017:3072098. doi: 10.1155/2017/3072098. Epub 2017 May 21.

Abstract

Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is an important cause of stroke for young patients, accounting for 5-22% of strokes in patients <45 years of age, which presents not only a great burden to the stroke victims but also a financial burden to the family and society. Because CAD can lead to different clinical lesions, including neuropathy, acute ischemic stroke, and subarachnoid hemorrhage, and is an arterial dissection with a self-healing tendency, the treatment options depend on the clinical manifestations. The main purpose of the treatment is to control CAD-induced neuronal damage and to restore blood flow. The treatment programs include drug treatment and endovascular treatment. However, antithrombotic treatment is crucial. Both antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulant drugs are used to reduce the risk of stroke, but whether one treatment strategy is more effective than the other is unknown. The efficacy and timing of the endovascular treatment of CAD remain controversial.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Aortic Dissection / physiopathology
  • Aortic Dissection / surgery
  • Aortic Dissection / therapy*
  • Arteries / physiopathology*
  • Arteries / surgery
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Stroke / physiopathology
  • Stroke / surgery
  • Stroke / therapy*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / surgery
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / therapy*
  • Thrombolytic Therapy

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors