AUTHOR=Yin Hao , Zhang Jinping , Zhao Wei , Zheng Meimei , Song Yun , Sun Lili , Zhang Jun , Han Ju 

TITLE=Drug-Coated Balloon for the Treatment of Nonacute Symptomatic Intracranial Carotid Artery Terminus Occlusion: Initial Experience and Follow-Up Outcome

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.840865

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2022.840865

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=Abstract
Background 
Studies on the recanalization for occlusion of the internal carotid artery terminus are scattered. Recently, drug-coated balloon (DCB) has been increasingly applied in the intracranial artery occlusion and achieved encouraging results. However, there seems no convincing data for the non-acute symptomatic internal carotid artery terminus occlusion (sICATO).
Objective
To assess the feasibility and effectiveness (safty) of DCB for patients with non-acute sICATO refractory to medical therapy.
Approach
This study included 30 patients with non-acute sICATO treated with DCBs and/or remedial stenting. The rate of successful recanalization, periprocedural complications and clinical and vascular imaging follow-up outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.
Results 
DCB dilatation of non-acute sICATO gives a 100% rate of successful recanalization, with low complication rate (10.00%), good clinical outcomes (86.20%), low restenosis/reocclusion rate (3.45%) and one asymptomatic ipsilateral infarction (3.45%). 
Conclusions 
DCB dilation seems to be the promising treatment option for non-acute sICATO considering its safety and feasibility.