Abstract
Atherosclerotic disease of the major intracranial arteries is a frequent cause of stroke. In addition, many patients who have symptomatic intracranial stenosis are at very high risk for recurrent stroke. Preliminary studies suggest that angioplasty and stenting may reduce the risk of stroke in patients who have severe stenosis of intracranial arteries. Data for angioplasty and stenting, however, consist of case series; no randomized studies have been completed to date. This article reviews these data and discusses the rationale for a randomized trial of angioplasty and stenting versus best medical management for patients who have symptomatic intracranial stenosis.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Review
MeSH terms
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Angioplasty / methods*
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Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
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Brain / blood supply
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Carotid Arteries / drug effects
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Carotid Arteries / pathology
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Carotid Arteries / surgery
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Carotid Stenosis / drug therapy
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Carotid Stenosis / surgery
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Carotid Stenosis / therapy
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Cerebral Arteries / drug effects
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Cerebral Arteries / pathology
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Cerebral Arteries / surgery
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Constriction, Pathologic / drug therapy
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Constriction, Pathologic / surgery
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Constriction, Pathologic / therapy
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Humans
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Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / drug therapy
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Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / surgery
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Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / therapy*
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Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
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Stents*