Evaluation of the Treatment Effects of Intervention in Cortical Watershed Infarction Caused by Middle Cerebral Artery Stenosis

Altern Ther Health Med. 2024 Feb 9:AT9831. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of interventional treatment in patients with hypoperfusion cerebral infarction in the territory of the lenticulostriate arteries caused by middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis.

Methods: A prospective, single-center, non-blinded research design was employed to assess the efficacy of interventional treatment for hypoperfusion cerebral infarction in the territory of the lenticulostriate arteries caused by MCA stenosis. Clinical and surgical data were collected from patients with MCA atherosclerotic disease who underwent interventional therapy at our hospital between January 2020 and December 2022. The intervention group consisted of 8 patients meeting the criteria for hypoperfusion cerebral infarction caused by MCA stenosis, while the control group comprised 8 patients with hypoperfusion cerebral infarction caused by middle cerebral artery stenosis who received conventional treatment. Clinical and imaging characteristics, perioperative complications, and follow-up outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results: Pre-intervention cerebral perfusion imaging revealed significantly prolonged rMTT and rTTP, decreased rCBF, and altered rCBV within the territory of the lenticulostriate arteries in all 8 patients. Follow-up imaging showed restoration of blood flow and comparable perfusion to the healthy contralateral side. A case demonstrating successful restoration of vessel patency, good recovery, and absence of complications was presented. Both groups had favorable outcomes during follow-up, with no cases of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or death in the perioperative period. There were no significant differences in relative perfusion parameters, NIHSS scores, and mRS scores between the two groups.

Conclusion: Interventional treatment demonstrates good efficacy and low risk of complications in treating cortical watershed cerebral infarction caused by middle cerebral artery stenosis. It is an effective and safe alternative to conventional treatment.