Predictive Factors for the Spontaneous Recanalization of Large and Middle Cerebral Arteries after Acute Occlusion

Objective This study aims to investigate the predictive factors for the spontaneous recanalization of occluded arteries in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 139 patients with consecutive acute ischemic stroke were enrolled from June 2010 to June 2013. The clinical and biochemical parameters were measured in each participant. Occlusion and recanalization of the carotid artery, the middle cerebral artery, and the vertebral and basilar arteries were identified by using computed tomographic angiography or digital subtraction angiography. Results Among the 139 patients, 23 showed spontaneous recanalization, whereas 116 did not. In the patients with spontaneous recanalization, the proportion of atrial fibrillation was significantly lower (0% versus 29.31%, P =  .01), whereas the proportion of stage 3 hypertension was significantly higher (60.87% versus 32.76%, P =  .01) than that of those without recanalization. Logistic regression analysis showed that the proportion of atrial fibrillation was negatively (odds ratio [OR]: .117, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .015-.918, P =  .04) associated with spontaneous recanalization, whereas the proportion of stage 3 hypertension was positively (OR: 4.316, 95% CI: 1.533-12.154, P =  .01) associated with it. Conclusions Atrial fibrillation is associated with reduced spontaneous recanalization of the large and middle cerebral arteries in patients after acute ischemic stroke-induced occlusion, whereas stage 3 hypertension may contribute to the promotion of the recanalization.