Intracranial Angioplasty and Stent Placement After Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) Trial: Present State and Future Considerations⋆

Displaced cortical vein sign on CT in infants: a reliable predictor to distinguish low-attenuation subdural collections from benign enlargement of subarachnoid spaces

Differentiating benign enlargement of subarachnoid spaces (BESS) from low-attenuation subdural collections on CT imaging of infants can be challenging. This distinction is crucial in infants, as subdural collections may raise the concern for abusive head trauma (AHT). To evaluate the utilization of the displaced cortical vein sign on CT as a predictor of pathological subdural collections confirmed by MRI and to assess the reproducibility of this finding among radiologists with different levels of clinical experience. A total of 104 imaging exams were independently reviewed by junior- and senior-level radiologists (52 head CTs and 52 corresponding brain MRI exams). These exams included 43 MRI-confirmed cases of subdural collections and 9 MRI-confirmed cases of BESS from patients aged 0-2 years. The presence of pathological collections and sulcal flattening, and the displaced cortical vein sign were recorded for both reviewers along with attenuation and signal characteristics of the collections. Confirmed diagnosis of AHT was determined by chart review. The sensitivity, specificity, and inter-observer reliability were analyzed between reviewers. The average patient age was 6.4 months with a median age of 4 months. The sensitivity values of the displaced cortical vein sign on CT for the presence of subdural collections were 69.6% and 79.0% for the two reviewers, respectively. The specificity of this finding was 100% for both reviewers, with no false negative cases. Interobserver reliability was the highest for the depiction of the displaced cortical vein sign on CT (κ=0.63, 95% CI 0.45-0.82) and MRI (κ=0.96, 95% CI 0.87-1.00). All cases where at least 1 reviewer noted the displaced cortical vein sign on CT and were later confirmed to be traumatic subdural collection on MRI were concluded to have high concern for AHT upon chart review. In total, 23.3% (11 out of 52) of cases confirmed to have subdural collections on MRI were found to have calvarial fractures associated with their presentation. The displaced cortical vein sign on head CT is a specific and reproducible finding associated with subdural collections. Our data suggest that this sign is a more reliable and readily identifiable indicator of pathological subdural collections compared to other traditional imaging findings, such as flattening of the cerebral sulci.

Correlations between intravascular pressure gradients and cerebral blood flow in patients with symptomatic, medically refractory, anterior circulation artery stenosis: an exploratory study

BACKGROUND

Fractional flow reserve is widely used in coronary disease management, with a threshold of 0.80. However, similar thresholds are unclear in functional assessment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potential threshold values in functional assessment of ICAS by studying the relation between pressure-derived indexes and perfusion parameters derived from arterial spin labeling (ASL).

METHODS

Patients were consecutively screened between June 2019 and December 2020. The translesional gradient indices were measured by pressure guidewire under resting-state conditions and recorded as mean distal/proximal pressure ratios (Pd/Pa) and translesional pressure difference (Pa-Pd). Preoperative and postoperative cerebral blood flow (CBF) bilaterally and the relative cerebral blood flow ratio (rCBF) were measured and recorded by ASL imaging. Patients were defined as having reversible hemodynamic insufficiency only if the preoperative rCBF was <0.9 and the postoperative rCBF≥0.9. Preoperative and postoperative Pd/Pa or Pa-Pd values of those patients were used to calculate the threshold.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients (19 men, 6 women) with a mean age of 56.7±9.4 years were analyzed. Seventeen patients (68%) had lesions at the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery, eight patients (32%) had lesions in the intracranial internal carotid artery. In 14 of the 25 patients, the preoperative rCBF was <0.9 and the postoperative rCBF≥0.9. Cut-off values of Pd/Pa=0.81 and Pa-Pd=8 mm Hg were suggested to be associated with hemodynamic insufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

In a highly selected subgroup with ICAS, cut-off values of translesional pressure gradients (Pd/Pa=0.81 or Pa-Pd=8 mm Hg) were preliminarily established, which may facilitate clinical decision-making in the management of ICAS.

Self-expanding versus balloon expandable stent for intracranial arterial stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are limited data regarding the comparison of balloon expandable stents (BES) and self-expanding stents (SES) for the treatment of intracranial arterial stenosis.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review to identify studies that compared SES and BES in patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis. Data were extracted from relevant studies found through a search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until from January 1, 2010 to September 28, 2023. Statistical pooling with random-effects meta-analysis was undertaken to compare the rates/severity of postprocedure stenosis, technical success, 30-day stroke and/or death, cumulative clinical endpoints, and restenosis rates.

RESULTS

A total of 20 studies were included. The standardized mean difference (SMD) for postprocedure stenosis (%) was significantly lower (SMD: -0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.79 to -0.24, p < .001, 10 studies involving 1515 patients) with BES. The odds for 30-day stroke and/or death were significantly lower (odds ratio [OR] 0.68, 95% CI: 0.50-0.94, p = .019, 15 studies involving 2431 patients), and cumulative clinical endpoints on follow-up were nonsignificantly lower (OR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.30-1.37, p = .250, 10 studies involving 947 patients) with BES. The odds for restenosis during follow-up were significantly lower (OR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31-0.80, p = .004, 13 studies involving 1115 patients) with BES.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with SES, BES were associated with lower rates of postprocedure 30-day stroke and/or death with lower rates of restenosis during follow up and the treatment of symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis.

Balloon-mounting stent for intracranial arterial stenosis: A comprehensive and comparative systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

As one of the major causes of acute ischemic stroke, intracranial arterial stenosis necessitates an intervention that ranges from medical treatment to balloon angioplasty and stenting. Self-expandable stents (SES) and balloon-mounted stents (BMS) are two types of stents and their comparative efficacy and safety for intracranial stenosis are not well established.

METHODS

Studies that investigate balloon-mounted stenting for intracranial stenosis were extracted from PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane library. We sought to gather data on the success rate, change in mean arterial stenosis, and complications such as minor and major stroke and death (MMD), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, all-cause mortality, and in-stent re-stenosis.

RESULTS

3049 patients from 35 studies were included in this study. 20 studies investigated BMS alone and others compared BMS with SES. BMS was significantly more effective in reducing the degree of stenosis compared to SES (Difference in mean -5.953, CI 95% -7.727 to -4.179), had less complications compared to SES such as MMD (8.5% vs. 11.2%) and less in-stent re-stenosis (18.6% vs. 19.6%), but patients with SES experienced a lower rate of all-cause mortality(1.7% vs. 4.1%).

CONCLUSION

Intracranial stenting with BMS is more effective in reducing the degree of stenosis and has lower rates of complications when compared to SES.

Cerebral hemodynamics in symptomatic anterior circulation intracranial stenosis measured by angiography-based quantitative flow ratio: association with CT perfusion

OBJECTIVES

Cerebral hemodynamics is important for the management of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). This study aimed to determine the utility of angiography-based quantitative flow ratio (QFR) to reflect cerebral hemodynamics in symptomatic anterior circulation ICAS by evaluating its association with CT perfusion (CTP).

METHODS

Sixty-two patients with unilateral symptomatic stenosis in the intracranial internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery who received percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or PTA with stenting were included. Murray law-based QFR (μQFR) was computed from a single angiographic view. CTP parameters including cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, mean transit time (MTT), and time to peak (TTP) were calculated, and relative values were obtained as the ratio between symptomatic and contralateral hemispheres. Relationships between μQFR and perfusion parameters, and between μQFR and perfusion response after intervention, were analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients had improved perfusion after treatment. μQFR was significantly correlated with relative values of TTP and MTT, with correlation coefficients of  -0.45 and  -0.26, respectively, on a per-patient basis, and  -0.72 and  -0.43, respectively, on a per-vessel basis (all p < 0.05). Sensitivity and specificity for μQFR to diagnose hypoperfusion at a cut-off value of 0.82 were 94.1% and 92.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that μQFRpost (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.48; p = 0.002), collateral score (adjusted OR, 6.97; p = 0.01), and current smoking status (adjusted OR, 0.03; p = 0.01) were independently associated with perfusion improvement after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

μQFR was associated with CTP in patients with symptomatic anterior circulation ICAS and may be a potential marker for real-time hemodynamic evaluation during interventional procedures.

KEY POINTS

• Murray law-based QFR (μQFR) is associated with CT perfusion parameters in intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis and can differentiate hypoperfusion from normal perfusion. • Post-intervention μQFR, collateral score, and current smoking status are independent factors associated with improved perfusion after treatment.

Hemodynamic Versus Anatomic Assessment of Symptomatic Atherosclerotic Middle Cerebral Artery Stenosis: the Relationship Between Pressure Wire Translesional Gradient and Angiographic Lesion Geometry

Background: Intracranial cerebral atherosclerosis (ICAS) is a leading etiology of ischemic stroke. The diagnosis and assessment of intracranial stenosis are shifting from anatomic to hemodynamic for better risk stratification. However, the relationships between lesion geometry and translesional pressure gradient have not been clearly elucidated.

Methods: Patients with symptomatic unifocal M1 middle cerebral artery (M1-MCA) stenosis were consecutively recruited. The translesional pressure gradient was measured with a pressure wire and was recorded as both mean distal/proximal pressure ratios (Pd/Pa) and translesional pressure difference (Pa–Pd). Lesion geometry measured on angiography was recorded as diameter stenosis, minimal lumen diameter, and lesion length. The correlations between pressure-derived and angiography-derived indices were then analyzed.

Results: Forty-three patients were analyzed. A negative correlation was found between Pd/Pa and diameter stenosis (r = −0.371; p = 0.014) and between Pa – Pd and minimal lumen diameter (r = −0.507; p = 0.001). A positive correlation was found between Pd/Pa and minimal lumen diameter (r = 0.411; p = 0.006) and between Pa – Pd and diameter stenosis (r = 0.466; p = 0.002).

Conclusions: In a highly selected ICAS subgroup, geometric indices derived from angiography correlate significantly with translesional pressure gradient indices. However, the correlation strength is weak-to-moderate, which implies that anatomic assessment could only partly reflect hemodynamic status. Translesional pressure gradient measured by pressure wire may serve as a more predictive marker of ICAS severity. More factors need to be identified in further studies.

Comparison of safety and mid-term effects between direct stenting and angioplasty before stenting in the basilar artery

OBJECTIVES

Symptomatic atherosclerotic disease of the basilar artery (BA) portends a poor prognosis, and BA seemed to be the most dangerous site for stenting. The authors review their interventional results and mid-term results with or without predilation in BA stenting to find a safer interventional approach.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

A database review identified 94 patients with severe symptomatic BA stenosis were treated with stenting. According to with balloon predilation or not, they were divided into two groups: direct stenting group and angioplasty before stenting group. Baseline data, lesion characteristics, complications and follow-up data from the two groups were compared and analyzed.

RESULTS

The length of lesion in angioplasty before stenting group was longer than that in the direct stenting group (8.12 ± 2.76 mm versus 6.83 ± 2.27 mm, p = 0.015). The proportions of Mori C type lesion was higher in angioplasty before stenting group (31.3 % versus 8.7 %, p = 0.006). The residual stenosis was higher in angioplasty before stenting group (12.66 ± 9.24 % versus 7.67 ± 8.01 %, p = 0.006). There were no significant differences in TIA, stroke, and death between the two groups in the perioperative and postoperative > 1 year follow-up (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

BA stenting is relatively safe and has a good results for experienced operators. Angioplasty before stenting is a good way for BA stenting, it makes the operations on difficult lesions as safe as normal one. More optimized stents and safer interventional approach need to be further explored and verified.

Medium-term results of undersized angioplasty and stenting for symptomatic high-grade intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis with Enterprise

PURPOSE

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate medium-term results of undersized balloon angioplasty and stenting for symptomatic high-grade (70-99%) stenosis of a major intracranial artery with Enterprise stent.

METHODS

This study included 68 consecutive symptomatic (recurrent transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke under dual antiplatelet treatment) patients with high-grade (70-99%) stenosis of a major intracranial artery who were endovascularly treated with undersized balloon angioplasty and Enterprise stent deployment between July 2012 and December 2017. Primary outcomes were any stroke or death within 30 days after procedure. Secondary outcomes were technical success rates, stroke and restenosis during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

A total of 68 lesions in 68 patients (mean age: 62 ± 7 years) were treated with a technical success rate of 99%. The degree of pre-procedural stenosis was 92 ± 6% and dropped to 12 ± 10% after stent deployment. No patient developed any stroke or death during the periprocedural period. Intracranial hemorrhage was observed in 1 (1.5%) patient. In 60 (88%) patients with available imaging follow-up in-stent restenosis was observed in 2 patients. Mean follow-up period was 22 ± 17 months (range 6-72) and none of the patients experienced recurrent TIA or stroke during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective single-center study undersized balloon angioplasty and deployment of a self-expandable stent with relatively low radial force was safe and effective for endovascular treatment of high-grade intracranial arterial stenosis with high technical success rate, low periprocedural complication rates and favorable medium-term follow-up results.

Primary Angioplasty without Stenting for Symptomatic, High-Grade Intracranial Stenosis with Poor Circulation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although the Stenting versus Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) study demonstrated a high incidence of perioperative complications for Intracranial Atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) treatments with stent placement, some studies have shown that submaximal angioplasty with an undersized balloon limits the risks of perioperative complications, suggesting that intervention may remain an alternative option for ICAD if perioperative complications are minimized. We sought to evaluate clinical and angiographic outcomes after primary angioplasty without stent placement in patients with symptomatic, high-grade intracranial stenosis and poor antegrade flow who were refractory to medical therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All cases with high-grade, symptomatic intracranial stenosis and poor antegrade flow treated with intracranial angioplasty without stent placement at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 2010 to December 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. The main outcomes included the changes in antegrade flow and residual stenosis and any stroke or death within 1 month. We also evaluated functional outcomes, stroke, and restenosis in patients on follow-up.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients (mean age, 64.3 years) were included, and the mean follow-up time was 9.7 months. The average preprocedural stenosis was 88.4%. The immediate, average postprocedure stenosis rate was 25.3%, and the average postprocedural stenosis rate at last angiographic follow-up was 34.7%. The primary end point of major stroke or death at 30 days was observed in 1 patient (1/35, 2.9%), and no patient had intraprocedural complications. The incidence of stroke or death at the last follow-up was 2.9%, which was superior to the results of the medical and stent-placement arms of the SAMMPRIS study. Severe restenosis was observed in 3 (3/25, 12%) patients but without any symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective series, primary balloon angioplasty was an effective treatment option for symptomatic intracranial stenosis with a high risk of stroke.

Reperfusion therapy in acute ischemic stroke: dawn of a new era?

Following the success of recent endovascular trials, endovascular therapy has emerged as an exciting addition to the arsenal of clinical management of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In this paper, we present an extensive overview of intravenous and endovascular reperfusion strategies, recent advances in AIS neurointervention, limitations of various treatment paradigms, and provide insights on imaging-guided reperfusion therapies. A roadmap for imaging guided reperfusion treatment workflow in AIS is also proposed. Both systemic thrombolysis and endovascular treatment have been incorporated into the standard of care in stroke therapy. Further research on advanced imaging-based approaches to select appropriate patients, may widen the time-window for patient selection and would contribute immensely to early thrombolytic strategies, better recanalization rates, and improved clinical outcomes.

Current Status and Future Perspective of Stenting for Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease: A Meta-Analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) for intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) by conducting a meta-analysis. Two independent observers searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library for relevant studies up to 31 December 2016. A meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.3. Three studies involving 581 cases were included. The meta-analysis indicated that any stroke (RR = 3.13; 95% CI: 1.80-5.42), ischemic stroke (RR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.19-3.89), and intracranial hemorrhage (RR = 14.71; 95% CI: 1.96-110.48) within 30 days in medical therapy alone were lower compared with PTAS plus medical therapy, but there were no significant differences in any stroke and ischemic stroke beyond 30 days between the two groups. There were also no significant differences in any death and myocardial infarction between the two groups. This meta-analysis demonstrated that, compared with medical therapy alone, PTAS for ICAD had a high risk of complication, but most complications in PTAS group occurred within 30 days after the operation, and beyond 30 days the PTAS was not inferior compared with medical therapy alone. Further studies are needed to reduce the periprocedural complications and reappraise the PTAS.

Angioplasty and stenting for patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Whether adding percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) to background medical treatment is effective for decreasing the incidence of stroke or death in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is still controversial. We perform a randomised controlled trial to examine the effectiveness and safety of an improved PTAS procedure for patients with ICAS.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A randomised controlled trial will be conducted in three hospitals in China. Eligible patients with ICAS will be randomly assigned to receive medication treatment (MT) plus PTAS or MT alone. The MT will be initiated immediately after randomisation, while the PTAS will be performed when patients report relief of alarm symptoms defined as sudden weakness or numbness. All patients will be followed up at 30 days, 3 and 12 months after randomisation. The primary end point will be the incidence of stroke or death at 30 days after randomisation. Secondary outcomes will be the incidence of ischaemic stroke in the territory of stenosis arteries, the incidence of in-stent restenosis, the Chinese version of the modified Rankin Scale and the Chinese version of the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life (CSQoL).

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol is approved by institutional review boards in participating hospitals (reference number FZ20160003, 180PLA20160101 and 476PLA2016007). The results of this study will be disseminated to patients, physicians and policymakers through publication in a peer-reviewed journal or presentations in conferences. It is anticipated that the results of this study will improve the quality of the current PTAS procedure and guide clinical decision-making for patients with ICAS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02689037.

The contemporary management of intracranial atherosclerotic disease

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease is the most common cause of cerebral vasculopathy and an important stroke etiology worldwide, with a higher prevalence in Asian, Hispanic and African ethnicities. Symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease portends a recurrent stroke risk as high as 18% at one year. The key to secondary prevention is an understanding of the underlying stroke mechanism and aggressive control of conventional cardiovascular risks. Contemporary treatment includes antiplatelet therapy, optimal glycemic and blood pressure control, statin therapy and lifestyle modifications. For patients with high-grade (70-99%) symptomatic steno-occlusion, short-term dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel followed by life-long single antiplatelet therapy may reduce the recurrent risk. Current evidence does not advocate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting as an initial treatment. External counterpulsation, encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis and remote limb ischemic preconditioning are treatments under investigation. Future studies should aim at predicting patients prone to recurrence despite of medical therapies and testing the efficacy of emerging therapies.

Multicenter Prospective Trial of Stent Placement in Patients with Symptomatic High-Grade Intracranial Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

On the basis of the high 1-month stroke and/or death (14.7%) rates associated with stent placement in the Stenting versus Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis trial, modifications in patient selection and procedural aspects for intracranial stent placement have been recommended. We performed a multicenter prospective single-arm trial to determine whether such modifications would result in lower rates of periprocedural stroke and/or death.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study enrolled patients with recent transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke (excluding perforator ischemic events) related to high-grade (70%-99% in severity) stenosis of a major intracranial artery. Patients were treated by using angioplasty and self-expanding stents 3 weeks after the index ischemic event at 1 of the 10 high-volume centers in China. An independent neurologist ascertained the occurrence of any stroke and/or death within 1 month after the procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 100 consecutive patients were recruited. The target lesions were located in the middle cerebral artery (M1) (n = 38, 38%), intracranial internal carotid artery (n = 17, 17%), intradural vertebral artery (n = 18, 18%), and basilar artery (n = 27, 27%). The technical success rate of stent deployment with residual stenosis of <50% was 100%. The overall 1-month stroke and/or death rate was 2% (95% confidence interval, 0.2%-7.0%). Two ischemic strokes occurred in the pontine region (perforator distribution) in patients following angioplasty and stent placement for basilar artery stenosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this prospective multicenter study demonstrated that modifications in patient selection and procedural aspects can substantially reduce the 1-month stroke and/or death rate following intracranial stent placement.

Internal carotid artery stenting for intracranial atherosclerosis

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease is a significant cause of stroke in the United States. Much like coronary atherosclerosis, this disease leads to arterial stenosis secondary to the buildup of lipid-based plaques in intracranial vessels. Ischemic stroke may occur following thromboembolic events near the site of stenosis or from watershed ischemia secondary to cerebral hypoperfusion. While this disease has been treated with intracranial angioplasty and stenting and cerebrovascular bypass surgery, the current literature supports aggressive medical management with dual antiplatelet therapy, treatment of comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, and lifestyle modification. Intracranial angioplasty and stenting is reserved for cases of medical failure.

Intracranial atherosclerosis

Atherosclerotic disease often involves the intracranial arteries including those encased by cranial bones and dura, and those located in the subarachnoid space. Age, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are independent risk factors for intracranial atherosclerosis. Intracranial atherosclerosis can result in thromboembolism with or without hypoperfusion leading to transient or permanent cerebral ischaemic events. High rates of recurrent ischaemic stroke and other cardiovascular events mandate early diagnosis and treatment. Present treatment is based on a combination of antiplatelet drugs, optimisation of blood pressure and LDL cholesterol values, and intracranial angioplasty or stent placement, or both, in selected patients.

Recurrent cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after intracranial angioplasty and stenting: case report with review of literature

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) describes a syndrome of sudden onset focal neurological features, unilateral headache, and systemic hypertension. Recurrent CHS in the same patient has not been described to date. We describe a 55-year-old woman who first developed CHS post intracranial stenting with sudden-onset right focal seizures and associated acute focal edema on imaging. After one and half years, the patient developed symptomatic in-stent restenosis and underwent repeat angioplasty with stenting. Postprocedure, the patient had another episode of CHS in the form of acute bleed in the basal ganglia and died. A review of literature of patients for CHS postintracranial angioplasty and stenting also was performed. The present case describes a rare clinical scenario where the patient had recurrent CHS with different clinical and imaging features.

Role of stenting for intracranial atherosclerosis in the post-SAMMPRIS era

Introduction. The initial promise of endovascular stenting for the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) has been tempered by the results of the SAMMPRIS trial which demonstrated better outcomes with medical management compared to stenting for symptomatic ICAD. We review post-SAMMPRIS ICAD stenting outcomes. Methods. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed to identify all ICAD stenting series published after the SAMMPRIS in September 2011. The type and design of the stent, number of patients and lesions, inclusion criteria, and clinical and angiographic outcomes were noted. Results. From October 2011 to August 2013, 19 ICAD stenting series were identified describing the interventional outcomes for 2,196 patients with 2,314 lesions. Of the 38 different stents used, 87% were balloon-expandable stents (BESs) and 13% were self-expanding stents. The median minimum stenosis was 50%. The median rates of technical success rate, postprocedural ischemic events, and symptomatic in-stent restenosis (ISR) were 98% (range 87–100%), 9.4% (range 0–25%), and 2.7% (range 0–11.1%), respectively. The median follow-up durations were one to 67 months. Conclusions. The management of severe ICAD remains controversial. Future trials are needed to define the optimal patient, lesion, and stent characteristics which will portend the best outcomes with intervention.

Wingspan Stenting for Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis

BACKGROUND:

Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is responsible for 9% to 37% of ischemic strokes.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the clinical outcome and risk factors for in-stent restenosis (ISR) after treatment of ICAS with a Wingspan stent.

METHODS:

Seventy-seven patients with 79 total target ICAS &gt; 60% (mean, 79.9 ± 8.4%; symptomatic ICAS, 96.2%) underwent attempted treatment with Wingspan stenting between March 2010 and March 2011. A retrospective review of the prospectively registered data was conducted to assess the risk factors for ISR and the clinical outcomes of these patients.

RESULTS:

The 30-day transient ischemic attack/stroke and death rates were 5.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1-10.5) and 0%, respectively. All patients but 1 were followed up clinically for a mean of 18.9 months (range, 12–23 months). During the period, cumulative transient ischemic attack/stroke and death rates were 8.1% (95% CI, 1.7-14.5) and 0%, respectively. Only 1 patient suffered a disabling stroke (subarachnoid hemorrhage), which was associated with retreatment of an ISR with a drug-eluting balloon-expandable stent. Follow-up angiography was available in 69 treated vessels (89.6%) at 3 to 24 months (median, 12 months). Binary ISR rate was 24.6%, of which 17.6% (3 of 17 cases) was symptomatic. Rapid balloon inflation (95% CI, 5.490-530.817) and longer length of stenosis (95% CI, 1.093-1.891) were independent risk factors for ISR.

CONCLUSION:

Wingspan stenting may be effective for appropriately selected ICAS patients. Rapid balloon inflation and longer lengths of stenosis were independent risk factors for ISR.