title: [Clinical study on endovascular treatment for symptomatic atherosclerotic stenosis of basilar artery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the feasibility, safety and validity of percutaneous angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) for symptomatic atherosclerotic stenosis of basilar artery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The results of treatment and follow-up of 40 cases with symptomatic atherosclerotic stenosis of basilar artery performed PTAS from August 2003 to December 2009 were studied retrospectively, who had either recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or obvious ischemic symptoms and resistant to medical therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PTAS were successfully performed in all the 40 cases and the post-operative average residual stenosis descended to 14% ± 11% from pre-operative 82% ± 14%. After operation the patients were administrated with antiplatelet drugs. After procedure the clinic symptoms and signs of ischemia were improved obviously in 38 cases and deteriorated in 2 cases whose CT scanning showed that the range of infarction in brain stem enlarged. The symptoms improved after treatment but 2 patients had neurological deficit. No hemorrhagic complications occurred in the group. During the follow-up for 2 months to 7 years, transcranial doppler ultrasonography in 26 cases demonstrated the blood flow was faster than normal in 2 cases, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 6 cases showed restenosis in-stent in 1 case. The second stent was implanted because of the symptomatic restenosis. In another case the follow-up DSA showed occlusion of basilar artery in-stent but there was no ischemia of post circulation because the generation of anastomoses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PTAS is a feasible, safe and effective therapeutic method for the patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic stenosis of basilar artery. Further study in large number of patients is needed for long-term outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853, China. 301lisheng@vip.sina.com
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Bao-min
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiang-yu
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Xin-feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ai-li
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: A-lan
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000379:methods; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*