title: Stent fracture in revascularization for symptomatic ostial vertebral artery stenosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We assessed the long-term follow-up examinations and complications of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) for symptomatic ostial vertebral artery (VA) stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was done to evaluate 12 patients with symptomatic ostial VA stenosis who underwent PTAS. Six patients were treated with the Palmaz stent and six with a balloon-expandable coronary stent. Initial angiographic follow-up examination was conducted about 12 months after PTAS in all patients. Simple radiographic, ultrasonographic and clinical follow-up examinations were scheduled every 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Excellent dilatation was achieved in all patients without any procedural complications. Initial angiographic follow-up obtained at a mean of 13 months after PTAS detected no restenosis. However, an asymptomatic severe restenosis was detected at 24 months after PTAS in one patient (8%). During a mean follow-up of 31.5 months, three stent fractures were detected in deployed coronary stents (50%). None of the stent fractures was associated with either recurrent stroke or restenosis. No patients developed recurrent symptoms during the follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PTAS for symptomatic ostial VA stenosis is effective in preventing recurrent stroke. As the open-cell single-joint type of stent is associated with the risk of fracture, long-term follow-up examinations including simple radiography are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, 1-1-1 Zokumyoin, Chikushino, Fukuoka, 8188502, Japan.
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsutsumi
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kazekawa
authors.forename: Masanari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onizuka
authors.forename: Tomonobu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kodama
authors.forename: Shuko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsubara
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aikawa
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iko
authors.forename: Kouhei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nii
authors.forename: Housei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Etou
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*