Experience of using coronary perfusion balloon catheter for acute middle cerebral artery occlusion

BACKGROUND: We present the case of an individual with acute occlusion of the middle cerebral artery caused by atherosclerosis. The patient underwent angioplasty using a coronary perfusion balloon, which resulted in a favorable clinical outcome. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 66-year-old male patient presented with an acute onset of right hemiplegia and dysarthria. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery, and alteplase was administered, followed by a mechanical thrombectomy and intracranial balloon catheter angioplasty. Due to restenosis, a coronary perfusion balloon catheter was used for a 15-minute angioplasty procedure while maintaining the perfusion. This treatment approach led to the recanalization of the artery and favorable clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: The coronary perfusion balloon may represent a viable therapeutic alternative for the management of refractory intracranial atherosclerotic large vessel occlusion.