[Endovascular stent-assisted angioplasty for atherosclerotic intracranial stenosis, a clinical analysis of 39 cases].

Objective: To assess the preliminary outcome of endovascular stent-assisted angioplasty for intracranial stenosis.

Methods: Thirty-nine patients with atherosclerotic intracranial stenosis (19 cases in posterior circulation and 20 in anterior circulation) were treated with endovascular angioplasty using balloon-expandable coronary stents. Follow-up was made for 4 - 24 months. The clinical manifestations were observed and CT, MR, or DSA were conducted before and after the operation.

Results: All of the stents were successfully implanted on the first procedure without procedural and periprocedural complications. The mean carotid artery stenosis rate was 73.5 +/- 6.7% before the procedure and 11.2 +/- 4.3% after the procedure. The patients were clinical asymptomatic and neurologically intact. Follow-up angiographies made in 29 patients revealed no restenosis.

Conclusion: With effective short-term results and helpful in decreasing incidence of stroke, endovascular stenting is safe and feasible for treatment of intracranial stenosis.