Stent-assistant angioplasty for treatment of cerebral artery stenosis

Objective To study the efficacy and safety of stent-assistant angioplasty (SAA) in the treatment of cerebral artery stenosis. Methods SAA was performed on 19 patients with cerebral artery stenosis, including 13 cases of stenosis at the initial segment of internal carotid (5 cases of transient ische mic attack and 8 cases of cerebral infarction) , and 6 cases of stenosis at the initial segment of vertebral artery (all exhibiting transient ischemic attack). Results Nineteen stents were all successfully implanted. Mean artery stenosis (AS) before surgery was 86% , whereas the remnant stenosis after operation was 10%. The significantly increased hemodynamics reverted to normal after operation immediately and sustained during the follow-up. NIHSS in patients with cerebral infarction was improved Significantly after surgery. Postoperative bradycardia and hypotension occurred in three patients with internal carotid stenosis and treated by medicine. Only one case receiving carotid artery stent exhibited symptom deteriorated slightly during follow-up of the 22th week. One patient with vertebral artery stenosis exhibited one time of transient ischemic attack at the 19th week after surgery. The remaining patients had no recurrence of symptom during the follow-up of 6 months. Conclusion SAA for treatment of cerebral artery stenosis was safe and effective. Key words: Cerebral artery stenosis;  Stent;  Angioplasty