title: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting for vertebral artery stenosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgery to the vertebrobasilar region is difficult and not considered in most centres. Furthermore, the basilar artery, with its penetrating branches supplying the brain stem, is likely to be extremely hazardous to dilate.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this review was to assess the effect of vertebral artery percutaneous transluminal angioplasty combined with medical care, compared to medical care alone, in people with vertebrobasilar artery disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the Cochrane Stroke Groups trials register (to August 1997). We contacted researchers in the field and balloon catheter manufacturers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised trials of vertebral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (with or without stenting) combined with best medical therapy, compared with best medical therapy alone, in people with symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No completed trials were found. One trial is underway, although few patients with vertebrobasilar disease have been recruited.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no evidence as yet to assess the effects of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for vertebral artery stenosis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, The National Hospital, Queen Square, London, UK, WC1N 3BG. m.brown@ion.ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Crawley
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D006801:Humans; D015607:Stents; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*