The natural history of intracranial carotid artery atherosclerosis.
Intracranial atherosclerosis is the cause of a significant number of strokes. Despite maximal medical therapy, this disease continues to carry a poor prognosis. The authors reviewed studies in which the outcomes after conservative management in patients with intracranial carotid artery atherosclerosis were reported. Analysis of the literature demonstrates that maximal medical therapy frequently fails with this disease, leaving patients at high risk for cerebral infarction and death. A better understanding of the pathophysiological aspects and natural history of this condition may serve to guide clinical decision making and the choice of therapeutic options in this patient population.
Komotar
Ricardo J
RJ
Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Mocco
J
J
Wilson
David A
DA
Connolly
E Sander
ES
Lavine
Sean D
SD
Meyers
Philip M
PM
D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy