Table 1 Clinical characteristics of patients with a symptomatic ICA occlusion ( n = 24)

Age (years, mean ± SD)

64

±10

Male

20

(83)

Clinical features at presentation:

cerebral TIA

17

(71)

ischaemic stroke

7

(29)

Repeated symptoms after documented occlusion

22

(92)

Systolic blood pressure (mmHg, mean ± SD)

158

±28

Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg, mean ± SD)

86

±14

Vascular risk factors:

Hypertension^a

20

(83)

Hyperlipidaemia^b

22

(92)

Diabetes mellitus

6

(25)

Cigarette smoking (current or in last 5 years)

13

(54)

History of stroke > 3 months ago

7

(29)

History of ischaemic heart disease

8

(33)

MRI:

Ischaemic lesions in MCA territory ipsilateral to ICA occlusion:

11

(45)

endzone branche

3

large subcortical (> 1.5 mm)

3

cortical borderzone

5

Angiogram:

Bilateral ICA occlusion

1

(4)

Contralateral ICA stenosis ≥50%

9

(38)

Ipsilateral ECA stenosis ≥50%

6

(25)

Vertebral artery stenosis ≥50%

9

(38)

Collateral flow via anterior communicating artery

22

(92)

Collateral flow via ophthalmic artery

11

(46)

Collateral flow via posterior communicating artery^c

20

(83)

Leptomeningeal collaterals^d

17

(71)