Acute basilar artery occlusion treated by thromboaspiration in a cocaine and ecstasy abuser

Neurology. 2003 Sep 23;61(6):839-41. doi: 10.1212/wnl.61.6.839.

Abstract

Thromboaspiration was performed in a young adult in a coma because of acute basilar artery occlusion associated with cocaine and ecstasy abuse 30 hours after symptom onset. There was complete recanalization of the basilar artery and favorable recovery. Because cocaine and ecstasy abuse has been reported to be a risk factor for ischemic stroke and fatal brain hemorrhage, thromboaspiration may be an alternative therapy to thrombolysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abciximab
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Brain Ischemia / drug therapy
  • Brain Ischemia / etiology*
  • Brain Ischemia / surgery
  • Catheterization
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / prevention & control
  • Cocaine / adverse effects*
  • Cocaine / pharmacokinetics
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Coma / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / therapeutic use
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / adverse effects*
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / pharmacokinetics
  • Pons / blood supply
  • Serotonin / physiology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Suction / instrumentation
  • Thrombectomy / instrumentation
  • Thrombectomy / methods*
  • Thrombophilia / chemically induced
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / chemically induced
  • Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / drug therapy
  • Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / etiology
  • Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / surgery*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • Serotonin
  • Cocaine
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
  • Abciximab