Transluminal stent-assisted angioplasty for the treatment of the symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis

Objective: To study the safety and efficiency of transluminal stent-assisted angioplasty for the treatment of the symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis. Methods: Transluminal stent-assisted angioplasty was performed in 11 cases with symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis. All cases were successfully treated with 12 balloon-expanded stents without severe complications. Results: After the operation, the degree of stenosis was significantly decreased to <20%. During clinical follow up for 6 months, no cerebral ischemic attack was noted for all patients, and TCD revealed no restenosis and intimal hyperplasia. Conclusions: Percutaneous transluminal stenting is safe and effective for stenosis of symptomatic vertebral artery. And the long-term follow-up needs further investigation. (authors)