Successful intracranial thrombolysis for cerebral thromboembolic complications resulting from cardiovascular diagnostic and interventional procedures

We report successful local thrombolysis to treat intracranial ischemic complications of angioplasty with stenting of a high-grade carotid artery stenosis, angioplasty with thrombolysis of an occluded venous graft, and routine coronary angiography. Intracranial complications occurring during cardiovascular diagnostic or interventional procedures can be reversed with prompt management via rescue thrombolysis. These events should not be viewed as irreversible complications, and the opportunity for intracranial thrombolysis should be available wherever cardiovascular interventional procedures are performed. The ability to quickly recognize and remedy complications occurring during these procedures is another step in the continued advancement of neuroendovascular therapy.