Future of Endovascular and Surgical Treatments of Atherosclerotic Intracranial Stenosis

Predictors of ischemic stroke recurrence in patients with symptomatic ICAS and contralateral high-grade stenosis

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify predictive factors for the recurrence risk of ischemic stroke in patients with symptomatic ICAS and contralateral high-grade stenosis (sICAS-CHS).

METHODS

We consecutively enrolled patients diagnosed with sICAS-CHS, which characterized by severe symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis (sICAS) alongside severe contralateral asymptomatic internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery stenosis, confirmed by CT angiography (CTA). Over a one-year period, these patients were followed up to assess the recurrence risk of ischemic stroke. Binary logistic regression analysis was utilized to investigate the independent predictors of ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence within the territory of the symptomatic ICAS.

RESULTS

The study included 80 patients with sICAS-CHS, comprising 56 males (70 %) with an average age of 69.44 ± 9.97 years. Over the one-year follow-up period, 16 patients (20 %) experienced recurrent ischemic strokes. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that presence of watershed infarction (OR=6.002, p = 0.019), hyperhomocysteinemia (OR=4.469, p = 0.039), medication adherence (OR=0.207, p = 0.034), and endovascular therapy (OR=0.084, p = 0.029) were independent predictors of ischemic stroke recurrence in this cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with severe sICAS-CHS portended a considerable high recurrence risk of ischemic stroke. It is advisable to prioritize these individuals for endovascular therapy, particularly those who have suffered watershed infarctions.

Stenting Versus Medical Therapy for Symptomatic Intracranial Artery Stenosis: Long-Term Follow-Up of a Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Whether the long-term benefit of stroke prevention when stenting is added to medical therapy (MT) over MT alone for symptomatic severe intracranial artery stenosis offsets the perioperative risks of the stenting has not been directly evaluated in a randomized trial. We aimed to compare the long-term (>3 years) effect of stenting versus MT alone in patients with symptomatic severe intracranial artery stenosis in a randomized trial.

METHODS

We extended the follow-up of 358 subjects enrolled in a multicenter, open-label, randomized trial conducted at 8 centers in China. Patients with transient ischemic attack or stroke attributed to severe intracranial stenosis (70% to 99%) were recruited between March 5, 2014, and November 10, 2016. The primary outcome was a composite of stroke or death within 30 days or stroke in the territory of the qualifying artery beyond 30 days. Other secondary outcomes included stroke in the territory of the qualifying artery, as well as disabling stroke or death after enrollment.

RESULTS

A total of 358 patients (stenting 176 versus MT 182) were recruited from March 5, 2014, and followed up till January 22, 2024. The median duration of follow-up was 7.4 years (interquartile range, 6.0-8.0). The primary outcome was not significantly different (stenting 14.8% versus MT 14.3%; hazard ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.58-1.77]; P=0.97). No significant difference was found between groups for the secondary outcomes: stroke in the territory of qualifying artery (14.8% versus 14.3%; hazard ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.58-1.77]; P=0.97), disabling stroke or death (16.5% versus 14.3%; hazard ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.66-1.91]; P=0.70), and death (9.1% versus 7.1%; hazard ratio, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.58-2.58]; P=0.60).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides compelling evidence that, even over prolonged observed periods, the addition of stenting to MT does not confer additional benefits to MT alone in patients with symptomatic severe intracranial artery stenosis. These results underscore the importance of MT as the cornerstone of long-term stroke prevention in this patient population.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01763320.

Endovascular therapy versus best medical treatment for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Evidence on endovascular therapy (EVT) for symptomatic intracranial stenosis (sICAS) from randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) is conflicting. While prior RCTs on percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) demonstrated harm or no benefit over best medical treatment (BMT), recent data suggest that submaximal balloon angioplasty with BMT may be superior to BMT alone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of elective EVT plus BMT compared to BMT alone for sICAS.

RESULTS

Six RCTs (5 on PTAS and 1 on balloon-angioplasty) comprising 1606 patients were included. EVT increased the risk of any stroke or death (RR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.72-4.19; I2 = 0%), ischemic stroke within the territory of the qualifying artery (RR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.36-4.61; I2 = 0%), any ischemic stroke (RR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.17-3.38; I2 = 0%), intracranial hemorrhage (RR = 6.23; 95% CI: 1.92-20.2; I2 = 0%), and mortality (RR = 3.52; 95% CI: 1.04-11.88; I2 = 0%) within 30 days. No significant benefit from EVT was detected regarding the risk of any stroke or death (RR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.06-1.38; I2 = 68%), ischemic stroke in the territory of the qualifying artery (RR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.14-1.33; I2 = 59%) and mortality (RR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.16-1.55; I2 = 0%) beyond 30 days through 1 year.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

EVT is associated with adverse early outcomes, without reducing the risk of long-term stroke recurrence or mortality compared to BMT. Further research is warranted to identify high-risk subgroups who may benefit from EVT for sICAS and refine interventions to minimize periprocedural risks.

Cognitive outcomes after extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery in elderly patients diagnosed with atherosclerotic cerebral steno-occlusive artery disease

Background

The safety and clinical effectiveness of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery in elderly patients with atherosclerotic internal carotid artery and/or middle cerebral artery steno-occlusive (ACMSO) disease remain ambiguous. Here, we analyzed our experience of EC-IC bypass surgery to evaluate its clinical safety and effect on the cognitive function for elderly patients with ACMSO.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled patients >60 years of age diagnosed with ACMSO who underwent EC-IC bypass surgery at the authors' center between January 2018 and January 2021. Indications for bypass surgery included symptomatic ACMSO defined by cerebral angiography and evidence of relative hypoperfusion in the territories of steno-occlusive arteries based on computed tomography perfusion (CTP) neuroimaging. All patients underwent the Montreal Cognitive Assessment preoperatively and 2 years after bypass surgery. Clinical data, such as the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale and cognitive function scores, and CTP parameters were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The study cohort ultimately included data from 65 patients (60-68 years of age; median age, 66 years) who underwent 82 bypass surgeries. The patency rate of bridge arteries was 100% on intraoperative fluoroscopy and 95.0% (76/80) according to cerebral angiography at the last follow-up. The perioperative stroke rate was 1.54 % and the mortality rate was 3.08% in the 2nd year of follow-up. Compared with preoperative data, the mismatch volume of CTP was reduced (P < 0.001), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score significantly increased (P < 0.001) 2 years after bypass surgery. Forty patients in the cognitive improvement group had a higher educational level (P = 0.020), shorter course of disease (P = 0.041), shorter mean transit time (MTT) (P < 0.001), and shorter time to peak value (P = 0.015) on CTP, as determined by single-factor analysis before bypass, compared with those in the inactive group. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, a shorter preoperative MTT was an independent clinical factor for cognitive improvement after bypass (odds ratio 0.452 [95% confidence interval 0.082-0.760]; P = 0.003).

Conclusion

EC-IC bypass surgery was safe and improved cognitive function in elderly patients diagnosed with ACMSO. Reversible cerebral perfusion function is one of the better prognoses, which needs to be confirmed in future study.

Mortality-Related Factors and 1-Year Survival in Patients After Intracranial Stenting for Intracranial Arterial Critical Stenosis and Occlusion

Background: Studies analyzing factors associated with mortality after intracranial stenting are limited. We aimed to investigate potential factors associated with 1-year mortality after urgent or elective intracranial stenting in those patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. Methods: Patients, who underwent urgent intracranial stenting of the target lesion either due to acute stroke unresponsive to mechanical thrombectomy, or who underwent elective stenting for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis were included in the study. The Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was evaluated on admission and grouped accordingly: ≤2 vs. >2. Restenosis and mortality rates in the 1-year follow-up were also analyzed. Results: A total of 60 patients were included in the study; the mean age was 60.2 (±10.8). The ratio of urgent/elective intracranial stenting was 7/53. Complete revascularization was achieved in all patients, but no periprocedural complications occurred. The rate of in-hospital mortality was 1/60, 1-year mortality due to any cause 4/60, and restenosis in a 1-year follow-up was 4/60. The age over 65 years, previous history of stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF), and rheumatic mitral valve disease were associated with mortality (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.017, and p = 0.003, respectively). The median mRS score on admission was lower in the surviving patients at 1 year (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Intracranial stenting may provide long-term survival with low adverse event rates in elective and selected emergency cases. Advanced age, poor functional status, previous stroke, AF, and rheumatic mitral valve disease are associated with 1-year mortality.

"All in one" lipid-polymer nanodelivery system for gene therapy of ischemic diseases

Gene therapy offers a promising avenue for treating ischemic diseases, yet its clinical efficacy is hindered by the limitations of single gene therapy and the high oxidative stress microenvironment characteristic of such conditions. Lipid-polymer hybrid vectors represent a novel approach to enhance the effectiveness of gene therapy by harnessing the combined advantages of lipids and polymers. In this study, we engineered lipid-polymer hybrid nanocarriers with tailored structural modifications to create a versatile membrane fusion lipid-nuclear targeted polymer nanodelivery system (FLNPs) optimized for gene delivery. Our results demonstrate that FLNPs facilitate efficient cellular uptake and gene transfection via membrane fusion, lysosome avoidance, and nuclear targeting mechanisms. Upon encapsulating Hepatocyte Growth Factor plasmid (pHGF) and Catalase plasmid (pCAT), HGF/CAT-FLNPs were prepared, which significantly enhanced the resistance of C2C12 cells to H2O2-induced injury in vitro. In vivo studies further revealed that HGF/CAT-FLNPs effectively alleviated hindlimb ischemia-induced gangrene, restored motor function, and promoted blood perfusion recovery in mice. Metabolomics analysis indicated that FLNPs didn't induce metabolic disturbances during gene transfection. In conclusion, FLNPs represent a versatile platform for multi-dimensional assisted gene delivery, significantly improving the efficiency of gene delivery and holding promise for effective synergistic treatment of lower limb ischemia using pHGF and pCAT.

Tmax >4 s volume predicts stroke recurrence in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis with optimal medical treatment

BACKGROUND

The time to maximum (Tmax) profile based on computed tomography perfusion (CTP) provides a quantitative assessment of cerebral hemodynamic compromise. We aimed to delineate the Tmax profile in stroke patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) and to investigate its predictive role in stroke recurrence after optimal medical treatment.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with ischemic stroke within 30 days attributed to 50%-99% ICAS were prospectively enrolled. Baseline tissue volume at different perfusion parameter thresholds based on CTP was automatically calculated using the Rapid Processing of Perfusion and Diffusion (RAPID) software. All patients received optimal medical treatment. The primary outcome was a composite of stroke in the territory of qualifying artery or vascular death within 1 year.

RESULTS

Among 204 patients with symptomatic ICAS, the median volume of Tmax >4 s, Tmax >6 s, and relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) <30% were 61 mL, 0 mL, and 0 mL, respectively. The 1 year rate of primary outcome was 16.2% (33/204). Tmax >4 s volume was significantly associated with the primary outcome (per 10 mL increase, adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.028 (1.008-1.049), P=0.005). The optimal cut-off value of Tmax >4 s volume for predicting the primary outcome was 83 mL. Patients with Tmax >4 s volume >83 mL had a higher risk of the 1 year primary outcome than those with Tmax >4 s volume ≤83 mL (adjusted HR, 7.346 (3.012-17.871), P<0.001), after adjusting for degree of stenosis and stroke mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

Tmax >4 s volume is a promising perfusion parameter to define hemodynamic compromise in patients with symptomatic ICAS. Patients with a larger volume of Tmax >4 s are likely to have a higher risk of stroke recurrence despite optimal medical treatment.

Submaximal versus aggressive angioplasty with drug-coated balloons for symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis

BACKGROUND

Drug-coated balloons (DCB) can decrease the incidence of restenosis in the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of submaximal angioplasty with DCB dilation compared with aggressive angioplasty in patients with symptomatic ICAS.

METHODS

This study prospectively and consecutively enrolled patients with symptomatic ICAS who underwent DCB angioplasty between January 2021 and December 2023. Based on the balloon size, the patients were divided into submaximal (50-80% of normal vessel diameter) or aggressive (80-100% of normal vessel diameter) angioplasty groups. The efficacy and safety of angioplasty including ischemic stroke/intracranial hemorrhage, death, arterial dissection, and follow-up outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The patients were divided into submaximal (n=55) and aggressive (n=62) angioplasty groups. All the balloons were successfully delivered to the lesion location and expanded. The dissection rate (3.6% vs 17.7%, P=0.018) and incidence of remedial stenting (7.3% vs 21.0%, P=0.040) after balloon dilation were significantly greater after aggressive angioplasty than after submaximal angioplasty. A residual stenosis rate of ≥30% was more common in the submaximal angioplasty group than in the aggressive angioplasty group (27.3% vs 8.1%, P=0.006). Periprocedural complications (1.8% vs 8.1%, P=0.212), recurrent ischemic events (1.8% vs 4.8%, P=0.621), and restenosis (3.6% vs 8.1%, p=0.445) were comparable between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Submaximal angioplasty has a favorable technical profile, periprocedural safety, and long-term efficacy, suggesting that it is a promising alternative treatment for symptomatic ICAS.

Clinical Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Diseases

The management of cerebrovascular diseases has significantly evolved over the last decade or so [...].

The role of nanomaterials in revolutionizing ischemic stroke treatment: Current trends and future prospects

Ischemic stroke has a high disability rate, which leads to irreversible neuronal death. The efficacy of conventional stroke treatments, including thrombolytic and neuroprotective therapies, is constrained by a number of factors, including safety concerns and inefficient drug delivery. The advent of nanomaterials has created new avenues for stroke therapy, facilitating enhanced pharmacokinetic behavior of drugs, effective drug accumulation at the target site, augmented therapeutic efficacy, and concomitant reduction in side effects. Therefore, this paper pioneers a research approach that summarized the development trend and clinical value of nanomaterials in the field of ischemic stroke through bibliometric analysis. This review provides an overview of the pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke and examines the current research trends in the use of nanomaterials in stroke management. It encompasses a multitude of domains, including targeted drug delivery systems, biosensors for the sensitive detection of biomarkers, and neuroprotective nanotechnologies capable of traversing the blood-brain barrier. Moreover, we investigate the challenges that nanomaterials encounter in the clinical translation context, including those pertaining to biocompatibility and long-term safety. These results have provided the clinical value and limitations of nanomaterials in the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke from double perspectives, thereby offering new avenues for the further development of innovative nanotherapeutic tools.

Atherosclerotic plaque evolution predicts cerebral ischemic events in patients with intracranial atherosclerosis: a multicentre longitudinal study using high-resolution MRI

BACKGROUND

Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is the leading cause of ischemic stroke in Asians and the recurrent rate remains high despite the optimal medical treatment. This study aimed to confirm that follow-up high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (hrMRI) provided essential values in predicting subsequent cerebral ischemic events in patients with ICAS.

METHODS

Patients with moderate to severe stenosis in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) defined by magnetic resonance (MRA) or computed tomography angiography (CTA) were recruited from three centers retrospectively. Detailed plaque composition was analyzed on baseline and follow-up hrMRI. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the key risk factors for predicting subsequent ischemic events.

RESULTS

Among 152 patients, a total of 86 patients with MCA atherosclerotic stenosis underwent follow-up hrMRI exams and ipsilateral cerebral ischemic events occurred in 12 patients during a 1-year follow-up. Analyses showed the predictors of ischemic events were age (adjusted Hazard ratio (HR) = 0.942; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), [0.903, 0.983]; p = 0.006), progression of plaque burden (HR = 3.818; 95% CI [1.117, 13.051]; p = 0.033), vessel expansion (HR = 5.173; 95% CI [1.077, 24.838]; p = 0.040) and enhancement ratio progression (HR = 6.144; 95% CI [1.480, 25.511]; p = 0.012). The combined model achieved a concordance index of 0.804 (95% CI [0.658, 0.950]).

CONCLUSION

Longitudinal hrMRI evaluation improved the accuracy in identifying higher-risk patients with intracranial atherosclerosis.

KEY POINTS

Question Can longitude high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (hrMRI) help clinicians observe intracranial plaque evolution? Findings Compared with the baseline exam, intracranial plaque evolution distinguished by follow-up hrMRI exam showed a higher accuracy in predicting subsequent ischemic events. Clinical relevance Longitudinal high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging enables dynamic observation and evaluation of the changes in plaque characteristics among intracranial atherosclerosis patients. Atherosclerotic plaque evolution revealed by repeated exams can strengthen the risk stratification of patients with intracranial atherosclerosis.

Nomogram for predicting asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in a neurologically healthy population

Asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (aICAS) is a major risk factor for cerebrovascular events. The study aims to construct and validate a nomogram for predicting the risk of aICAS. Participants who underwent health examinations at our center from September 2019 to August 2023 were retrospectively enrolled. The participants were randomly divided into a training set and a testing set in a 7:3 ratio. Firstly, in the training set, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate logistic regression were performed to select variables that were used to establish a nomogram. Then, the receiver operating curves (ROC) and calibration curves were plotted to assess the model's discriminative ability and performance. A total of 2563 neurologically healthy participants were enrolled. According to LASSO-Logistic regression analysis, age, fasting blood glucose (FBG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), hypertension, and carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) were significantly associated with aICAS in the multivariable model (adjusted P < 0.005). The area under the ROC of the training and testing sets was, respectively, 0.78 (95% CI: 0.73-0.82) and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.56-0.73). The calibration curves showed good homogeneity between the predicted and actual values. The nomogram, consisting of age, FBG, SBP, hypertension, and CAS, can accurately predict aICAS risk in a neurologically healthy population.

Arterial Stiffness Predicts the Outcome of Endovascular Treatment in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: The association between arterial stiffness and outcome after endovascular treatment (EVT) is unknown. This study investigated whether arterial stiffness predicts post-EVT outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods: This retrospective and observational cohort study included consecutive patients treated with EVT for acute ischemic stroke from June 2020 to November 2022. Arterial stiffness was assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Poor functional outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score ≥3 at 3 months. Results: The mean age of patients included in this study was 71.9 ± 11.8 years, and 57.3% were men. Poor functional outcome was present in 46.8%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that arterial stiffness was independently associated with poor functional outcome (odds ratio 8.640, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.581-47.228) after adjusting for age, initial stroke severity, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, device pass number, and successful recanalization. A nomogram based on the multivariable statistic model showed a better prediction of poor functional outcome compared to classic risk factor models without arterial stiffness (net reclassification improvement 0.529, 95% CI 0.186-0.873; integrated discrimination improvement 0.046, 95% CI 0.009-0.083). Conclusions: We found that arterial stiffness was an independent predictor of poor functional outcome in patients treated with EVT following acute ischemic stroke.

Diagnostic value of high-resolution vessel wall imaging technique in intracranial arterial stenosis and occlusion: a comparative analysis with digital subtraction angiography

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the diagnostic value of HR-VWI in intracranial arterial stenosis and occlusion and compare it with DSA.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of clinical data of 59 patients with intracranial arterial stenosis in our hospital was conducted to compare the diagnostic results of the two methods for different degrees of intracranial stenosis and various morphological plaques.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of stenosis and occlusion by both methods showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). Comparison of plaque morphology detected by HR-VWI with pathological examination results showed no significant difference (p > 0.05); however, there was a significant difference between plaque morphology detected by DSA and pathological examination results (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant difference between plaque morphology detected by HR-VWI and DSA (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HR-VWI technique is comparable to DSA technique in diagnosing intracranial arterial stenosis and occlusion, but it is superior to DSA in plaque morphology diagnosis.

Risk stratification and predictive modeling of postoperative delirium in chronic subdural hematoma

Background- Postoperative delirium is a common complication associated with the elderly, causing increased morbidity and prolonged hospital stay. However, its risk factors in chronic subdural hematoma patients have not been well studied. Methods- A total of 202 consecutive patients with chronic subdural hematoma at Peking University Third Hospital between January 2018 and January 2023 were enrolled. Various clinical indicators were analyzed to identify independent risk factors for postoperative delirium using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Delirium risk prediction models were developed as a nomogram and a Markov chain. Results- Out of the 202 patients (age, 71 (IQR, 18); female-to-male ratio, 1:2.7) studied, 63 (31.2%) experienced postoperative delirium. Univariate analysis identified age (p < 0.001), gender (p = 0.014), restraint belt use (p < 0.001), electrolyte imbalance (p < 0.001), visual analog scale score (p < 0.001), hematoma thickness (p < 0.001), midline shift (p < 0.001), hematoma side (p = 0.013), hematoma location (p = 0.018), and urinal catheterization (p = 0.028) as significant factors. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed the significance of restraint belt use (B = 7.657, p < 0.001), electrolyte imbalance (B = -3.993, p = 0.001), visual analog scale score (B = 2.331, p = 0.016), and midline shift (B = 0.335, p = 0.007). Hematoma thickness and age had no significant impact. Conclusion- Increased midline shift and visual analog scale scores, alongside restraint belt use and electrolyte imbalance elevate delirium risk in chronic subdural hematoma surgery. Our prediction models may offer reference value in this context.

Superficial Temporal Artery-to-Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass in Ischemic Stroke With Blood Pressure-Dependent Symptoms

The efficacy of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass in preventing ischemic stroke progression and recurrence is controversial. As per the current hypothesis, EC-IC bypass is most beneficial for patients with persistent hemodynamic insufficiency. Hence, various approaches have been used to evaluate hemodynamic insufficiency, including repeated single photon emission CT (SPECT) imaging or continuous monitoring of cerebral flow with transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD). However, both modalities are time- and resource-intensive. In this report, we discuss how EC-IC bypass turned out to be beneficial for a patient presenting with blood pressure-dependent severe aphasia and right hemiparesis due to middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion that failed thrombectomy. CT perfusion (CTP) scan at admission demonstrated a persistent volume of delayed perfusion without core infarct. Following the superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass, the patient's National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score improved from 12 to 1. Ischemic penumbra, as seen on CTP imaging, also improved after the STA-MCA bypass. Our case suggests that persistent volume of delayed perfusion and blood pressure-dependent neurological deficits can be used in tandem as selection criteria for EC-IC bypass.