Context: Stroke caused by basilar artery occlusion is rare, corresponding to 1% of strokes. There is no consensus in the literature on the ideal management of this disease at acute phase. However, mechanical thrombectomy may be a viable treatment option. Case report: 68-year-old female, with no comorbidities, admitted to a secondary hospital 14h after headache, dizziness, vomiting and difficulty walking. She was disoriented, with severe dysarthria and dysphonia, horizontal and vertical ophthalmoparesis and pronation of the right upper limb (NIHSS: 4). Cranial tomography was normal and cranial angiotomography showed a basilar artery thrombosis. Patient was out of the window for intravenous thrombolysis and our hospital did not have another possibility of treatment. Due to high morbidity and mortality, also the possibility of neurological deterioration, medical contact was made with a tertiary hospital with hemodynamic service. During patient transference, she evolved with decreased level of consciousness, aphasia and tetraparesis (NIHSS: 18). Upon arrival at the hospital, a thrombectomy was performed due to an important clinical-radiological mismatch, 19 hours within symptoms onset and 3 hours after neurological worsening. After discharge, patient walked with assistance and physical examination showed a significant improvement in neurological deficits (NIHSS: 6). Conclusions: This case demonstrates the importance of engaging Brazil’s public health system in the management of acute ischemic stroke, especially in challenging cases such as basilar artery occlusion. This patient was the first admitted to our hospital to perform a thrombectomy after effective transference for a tertiary hospital and staff engagement of both hospitals.
Management challenge of basilar artery occlusion in SUS: Case report
