Apparatus and methods for treatment of stroke are provided. In a preferred
embodiment, the present invention disposes at least one catheter having a distal
occlusive member in either the common carotid artery (CCA) or both the vertebral
artery (VA) and the CCA on the hemisphere of the cerebral occlusion. Blood flow
in the opposing carotid and/or vertebral arteries may be inhibited. Retrograde
or antegrade flow may be provided through either catheter independently to effectively
control cerebral flow characteristics. Under such controlled flow conditions, a
thrombectomy device may be used to treat the occlusion, and any emboli generated
are directed into the catheter(s).
