Hemodynamic compensation via an excimer laser-assisted, high-flow bypass before and after therapeutic occlusion of the internal carotid artery

OBJECTIVE: High-flow, extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass operations are performed to prevent strokes among patients with giant aneurysms who cannot tolerate internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. However, the volume flow through the bypass, compared with preoperative ICA flow, has not been evaluated for any type of bypass. We describe a prospective case study that tested the ability of the high-flow EC-IC bypass to replace the volume flow of the ipsilateral ICA after deliberate ICA occlusion. METHODS: Seven consecutive patients with giant aneurysms of the ICA who experienced test occlusion failure underwent nonocclusive, excimer laser-assisted, EC-IC bypass surgery before permanent ICA occlusion. Volume flow values in the ICAs, the basilar artery, the EC-IC bypass, and the middle cerebral arteries were measured with magnetic resonance angiography. RESULTS: No significant changes in volume flow to the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres were observed after bypass surgery and therapeutic ICA occlusion. Before bypass surgery, the volume flow through the ipsilateral ICA was 243 ± 74 ml/min, that through the contralateral ICA was 264 ± 32 ml/min, and that through the basilar artery was 141 ± 43 ml/min. After bypass surgery and therapeutic occlusion of the ipsilateral ICA, the volume flow through the bypass was 199 ± 72 ml/min, that through the contralateral ICA was 303 ± 82 ml/min, and that through the basilar artery was 153 ± 72 ml/min. No significant preoperative versus postoperative changes in middle cerebral artery flow were observed on either side. CONCLUSION: The flow through the high-flow EC-IC bypass was able to replace the volume flow of the ipsilateral ICA after deliberate ICA occlusion for the treatment of giant aneurysms.