Stent-assisted angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerosis.
We report on two patients with intracranial atherosclerosis of the carotid artery or vertebral artery treated with stent-assisted angioplasty. Both patients have severe intracranial atherosclerosis (>70%) with refractory symptoms despite optimal medical treatment. In both patients, a coronary balloon-expandable stent was successfully placed using a protective balloon technique without procedural complications. The patients were asymptomatic and neurologically intact at a mean clinical follow-up of 13 months. Follow-up angiograms did not show restenosis 3 or 4 months after procedure, respectively. Stent-assisted angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerosis in the elective patient has proven effective, with an acceptable low rate of morbidity and mortality.
Division of Neuroendovascular Treatment, Mazda Hospital, 2-15, Aosakiminami, Fuchu-cho Aki-gun, Hiroshima, 735-0017 Japan. tnakahar@iwa.att.ne.jp
Toshinori
T
Nakahara
Shigeyuki
S
Sakamoto
Osamu
O
Hamasaki
Katsuaki
K
Sakoda
D017130:Angioplasty; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors