Background: Sonolysis is an important factor in therapeutic use of ultrasound in patients with cerebrovascular diseases, it is ultrasound induced lysis of thrombus or embolus. The aim of this work was to asses safety and efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound effect (sonolysis) in acute stroke patients and in patients undergoing carotid artery intervention. First partial aim of this work was to confirm the safety and efficacy of endovascular sonolysis by using the EkoSonic Endovascular System in subjects with acute ischemic stroke. Second partial aim of this work was to test the clinical efficacy of sonolysis for reducing the risk of incidence of new brain ischaemic lesions detected on brain magnetic resonance imaging in patients undergoing elective CEA or CAS for severe internal carotid stenosis. In addition, we assessed the effects of sonolysis on cognitive function, morbidity, and mortality at 30 days post-surgery. Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke and occlusion of the middle cerebral artery or basilar artery were enrolled consecutively to the prospective study tested safety and efficacy of endovascular sonolysis using the EkoSonic Endovascular System (EKOS) in patients with acute stroke. The control group (44 MCA and 12 BA occlusions) was selected from historical controls. EkoSonic...

Introduction: Internal Carotid Stump Syndrome may be one of the possible causes of ischemic stroke (iCMP), as well as retinal infarction (RI). Syndrome of the occluded internal carotid (ACI) (stump syndrome) is a nosological unit, which is characterized by an onset of ipsilateral iCMP or RI of thromboembolic ethiology in patients with occlusion of ACI via the externa carotid or arteria ophthalmica. In my thesis, I have concentrated upon the specification of the stump syndrome, its diagnostics and treatment; furthermore I have assessed the appropriateness of surgical approach in comparison with conservative approach. Material and methods: A total of 621 patients with occlusion were treated in two centres in the course of five years. In a group of 40 patients, the ACI occlusion was detected sonographically, the length of the occluded ACI being >5 mm, with normal vasoreactivity based upon SPECT CO2 and excluded cardiogenic cause of iCMP. The patients were divided in two groups - surgical and conservative. Patients were monitored in 6-month intervals for the total period of four years. Results: No RI or iCMP were detected in the surgical group; one patient died six months after surgery. We observed one case of amaurosis fugax in the conservative group. Conclusion: Ultrasound examination is a fully sufficient...

Introduction: Internal Carotid Stump Syndrome may be one of the possible causes of ischemic stroke (iCMP), as well as retinal infarction (RI). Syndrome of the occluded internal carotid (ACI) (stump syndrome) is a nosological unit, which is characterized by an onset of ipsilateral iCMP or RI of thromboembolic ethiology in patients with occlusion of ACI via the externa carotid or arteria ophthalmica. In my thesis, I have concentrated upon the specification of the stump syndrome, its diagnostics and treatment; furthermore I have assessed the appropriateness of surgical approach in comparison with conservative approach. Material and methods: A total of 621 patients with occlusion were treated in two centres in the course of five years. In a group of 40 patients, the ACI occlusion was detected sonographically, the length of the occluded ACI being >5 mm, with normal vasoreactivity based upon SPECT CO2 and excluded cardiogenic cause of iCMP. The patients were divided in two groups - surgical and conservative. Patients were monitored in 6-month intervals for the total period of four years. Results: No RI or iCMP were detected in the surgical group; one patient died six months after surgery. We observed one case of amaurosis fugax in the conservative group. Conclusion: Ultrasound examination is a fully sufficient...