Stenting for Intracranial Atherosclerotic Severe Stenotic Lesions

Abstract

Five patients with 6 intracranial atherosclerotic lesions of the vertebrobasilar artery and the distal internal carotid artery underwent endovascular treatment with flexible balloon-expandable coronary stents. Stent implantation was successful in all patients, leading to significant changes in the degree of stenosis from 79% (range 70% to 89%) to 1% (range 0% to 6%). No complications occurred during the procedures. No cerebrovascular events occurred during the follow-up period (mean 12 months, range 2 to 20 months). Endovascular stenting appears to be a safe and effective treatment in selected cases of intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses.