Provisional stenting for symptomatic intracranial stenosis using a multidisciplinary approach: acute results, unexpected benefit, and one-year outcome

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2001 Apr;52(4):457-67. doi: 10.1002/ccd.1101.

Abstract

Percutaneous techniques have dramatically changed our approach to coronary and peripheral revascularization. Intracranial atherosclerosis is a highly morbid disease; however, techniques for revascularization are still in evolution. The authors comprise a multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neuroradiologists, and interventional cardiologists who have collaborated in treating fifteen patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis who have failed medical therapy. The acute success rate (100%) and one-year freedom from death and stroke (93.4%) using balloon angioplasty and provisional stenting are encouraging. A surprising observation in this patient cohort was that 53% of patients had improvement or resolution of a deficit that was chronic and presumed to be permanent and irreversible. This type of chronic but reversible deficit is termed "brain angina". The background, rationale for a multidisciplinary team, techniques, and preliminary results of intracranial angioplasty with provisional stenting are presented.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angioplasty, Balloon
  • Carotid Stenosis / therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stents*
  • Treatment Outcome