Stenting of vertebrobasilar arteries in symptomatic atherosclerotic disease and acute occlusion: case series and review of the literature

Endovascular treatment of extracranial vertebral artery stenosis

Percutaneous angioplasty and stenting for the treatment of extracranial vertebral artery (VA) stenosis seems a safe, effective and useful technique for resolving symptoms and improving blood flow to the posterior circulation, with a low complication rate and good long-term results. In patients with severe tortuosity of the vessel, stent placement is a real challenge. The new coronary balloon-expandable stents may be preferred. A large variability of restenosis rates has been reported. Drug-eluting stents may be the solution. After a comprehensive review of the literature, it can be concluded that percutaneous angioplasty and stenting of extracranial VA stenosis is technically feasible, but there is insufficient evidence from randomized trials to demonstrate that endovascular management is superior to best medical management.

Angioplasty with stenting for intracranial atherosclerosis: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Intracranial artery stenosis can be fatal, requiring fast, safe and effective intervention. The introduction of the Wingspan™ stent system with Gateway™ percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon catheter has made intracranial intervention possible in a clinical trial setting. This systematic review planned to identify and review all randomized controlled trials comparing angioplasty and stenting of intracranial arteries with standard medical care.

METHODS

Electronic databases and relevant records were examined for possible trials using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 3661 records were identified by searching several English language databases and other sources including Chinese academic journals. The recently discontinued Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial was the single qualifying study and showed clear advantage of medical management over percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS).

CONCLUSIONS

The SAMPRASS trial indicated that PTAS is associated with high complication and morbidity rates. Definitive recommendations cannot be made until convincing results from additional robustly designed randomized trials become available.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting in patients with proximal vertebral artery stenosis

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the proximal vertebral artery is an important cause of cerebrovascular ischemic events with a significant associated morbidity and mortality. Endovascular treatment has emerged as a promising tool of the therapeutic armamentarium, along with medical therapy and surgical reconstruction. Our objective was to systemically review the pertinent evidence on the endovascular management of proximal vertebral artery disease and perform an analysis of the published outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature identified all studies reporting percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or stenting, or both, for proximal vertebral artery stenosis. Web-based search engines were searched using the Medical Subject Headings terms "vertebral artery," "angioplasty," and "stents" in all possible combinations. Studies comprising a series of at least five patients were considered for analysis. Periprocedural transient ischemic attack and stroke and death from any cause ≤30 days of treatment were defined as the primary outcome end points.

RESULTS

One randomized controlled trial comparing angioplasty and stenting of the proximal vertebral artery and medical therapy was identified. No comparative studies of endovascular treatment and open surgical repair were found. Forty-two selected studies reported endovascular treatment (angioplasty or stenting, or both) of 1117 vertebral arteries in 1099 patients. The weighted mean technical success rate was 97% (range, 36%-100%). Periprocedural transient ischemic attack occurred in 17 patients (1.5%). The combined stroke and death rate was 1.1%. Recurrent symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency developed in 65 of 967 patients (8%) within a reported follow-up of 6 to 54 months. Restenosis developed in 183 of 789 patients (23%) who underwent follow-up imaging (range, 0%-58%). Reintervention for recurrent disease during follow-up occurred in 86 patients (9%; range, 0%-35%).

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited comparative evidence on the efficacy of medical, surgical, and endovascular treatment of proximal vertebral artery disease. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting has low periprocedural neurologic adverse events and mortality.

Vertebral artery orifice stenosis: a report of 43 cases from northwest iran treated with angioplasty and stenting

More than one quarter of all transient ischemic attacks (TIA's) and ischemic strokes involve tissue supplied by the vertebrobasilar (VB) circulation. Vertebral artery stenotic lesion, particularly at the origin of the vertebral artery, is not uncommon but it is a less studied area. Here we present our endovascular treatment experience in a group of patients with vertebral artery orifice stenosis. We enrolled a group of patients with vertebral artery orifice stenosis who presented with confirmed posterior circulation stroke. Vertebrobasilar insufficiency syndrome was confirmed by imaging studies and clinical findings. Vertebral artery stenosis diagnosed by CT or MR Angiography and confirmed by Conventional and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Angiography was performed by using of femoral or radial artery approach. From October 2008 to January 2010, forty-three consecutive patients (69.8% men) underwent stent placement for symptomatic vertebral artery orifice stenosis. Mean degree of stenosis was 70.45 +/- 7.455 percent and mean age was 71.65 +/- 7.743 years . In the 22 patients (22/43, 51.16%) stenosis were in left side. In the thirty patients (30/43, 69.6%) there was evidence of atherosclerotic disease in the internal carotid artery and in the 23% contra lateral vertebral artery was involved. There were five different cases with left renal artery stenosis especially in the men with left vertebral artery stenosis. Initial technical success rate was 100%. No cerebrovascular complications or embolic events occurred. Six months control angiography follow-up revealed one patient with stent occlusion and moderate (40%) restenosis in the another patient. According to our finding angioplasty and stenting for vertebral artery orifice stenosis is safe and effective. Patients with vertebral artery orifice disease frequently have coexistent atherosclerotic stenosis in the other major extracranial arteries including carotid and renal arteries.

[Cerebellar infarction]

Cerebellar infarction can be difficult to diagnose because the clinical picture is often dominated by fairly non-specific symptoms, which are more indicative of a benign condition. When cerebellar infarction affects the brainstem, the semiology is richer, and pure cerebellar signs are rendered less important. A perfect knowledge of the organisation of the cerebellar artery territories is required, regardless of the infarct topography. This knowledge is essential for making an accurate diagnosis, understanding the mechanisms and organising a treatment plan. Clinical algorithms for the treatment of dizziness, headaches and vomiting would improve the selection of candidates for brain imaging. Thus, the early identification of patients with a high risk of subsequent deterioration would lead to a better prognosis in cases of cerebellar artery territory infarction.

Stent placement for atherosclerotic stenosis of the vertebral artery ostium: angiographic and clinical outcomes in 117 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

Although it is thought to be a safe treatment option, the main concerns related to treating vertebral artery ostium (VAO) stenosis with stents have been the rate of restenosis and the uncertain long-term results.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the angiographic and clinical results of stent placement for atherosclerotic stenosis of the VAO.

METHODS

One hundred seventeen consecutive patients with atherosclerotic VAO stenosis were treated with stent placement over a period of 12 years. All patients were retrospectively analyzed through the use of a prospectively collected database. The indication criteria for this treatment protocol were symptomatic severe VAO stenoses (> 60%) and asymptomatic severe VAO stenoses (> 60%) with incidentally detected infarction in the posterior circulation. The target diameter of stent dilatation from 1997 to 2000 was the normal vessel diameter just distal to the lesion. Moderate overdilation in the proximal portion of the stents has been performed since 2001.

RESULTS

Successful dilatation was obtained in 116 of 117 cases. Transient neurological complications developed in 2 patients; however, no patients experienced any permanent neurological complications. One hundred four patients underwent follow-up angiography at 6 months after stenting. The restenosis rate at the 6-month follow-up was 9.6% (10 of 104). Until 2000, the restenosis rate after stenting was 13.3%. Since 2001, the restenosis rate has decreased to 4.5%. The median clinical follow-up period was 48 months. The annual rate of strokes in the posterior circulation was 0.95%.

CONCLUSION

Stent placement for atherosclerotic VAO stenosis is considered to be a feasible and safe treatment and may be effective for stroke prevention. The moderate overdilation of stents may be an effective modality for the prevention of restenosis.

Avoiding pitfalls in diagnosing basilar artery occlusive disease: clinical and imaging clues - case report

CONTEXT

The aim of this paper was to report on the characteristics that aid in establishing the diagnosis of basilar artery occlusive disease (BAOD) among patients with hemiparesis and few or minor symptoms of vertebrobasilar disease.

CASE REPORT

This report describes two cases in a public university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. We present clinical and imaging findings from two patients with hemiparesis and severe BAOD, but without clinically relevant carotid artery disease (CAD). One patient presented transient ischemic attacks consisting of spells of right hemiparesis that became progressively more frequent, up to twice a week. The neurological examination revealed slight right hemiparesis and right homonymous hemianopsia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed pontine and occipital infarcts. Magnetic resonance angiography and digital subtraction angiography revealed severe basilar artery stenosis. The other patient presented sudden left-side hemiparesis and hypoesthesia. One year earlier, she had reported sudden onset of vertigo that, at that time, was attributed to peripheral vestibulopathy and was not further investigated. MRI showed a right-side pontine infarct and an old infarct in the right cerebellar hemisphere. Basilar artery occlusion was diagnosed. Both patients presented their symptoms while receiving aspirin, and became asymptomatic after treatment with warfarin.

CONCLUSIONS

Misdiagnosing asymptomatic CAD as the cause of symptoms in BAOD can have disastrous consequences, such as unnecessary carotid endarterectomy and exposure to this surgical risk while failing to offer the best available treatment for BAOD. Clinical and imaging features provided important clues for diagnosis in the cases presented.

Endovascular stenting for vertebral artery stenosis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety and long-term durability of catheter-based therapy for symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis (VAS).

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic VAS carries with it a 5-year 30% to 35% risk of stroke. The 2-year mortality approaches 30% for medically managed strokes involving the posterior circulation. Surgical bypass is rarely performed, due to high morbidity and mortality. Endovascular revascularization with primary stenting offers an attractive treatment option for these patients.

METHODS

One-hundred five consecutive symptomatic patients (112 arteries, 71% male) underwent stent placement for extracranial (91%) and intracranial (9%) VAS from 1995 to 2006. Fifty-seven patients (54%) had bilateral VAS, 71 patients (68%) had concomitant carotid disease, and 43 patients (41%) had a prior stroke.

RESULTS

Procedural and clinical success was achieved in 105 (100%) and 95 (90.5%) patients, respectively. One-year follow-up was obtained in 87 (82.9%) patients, of which 69 patients (79.3%) remained symptom-free. At 1 year, 6 patients (5.7%) had died and 5 patients (5%) had a posterior circulation stroke. Target vessel revascularization occurred in 7.4% at 1 year. At a median follow-up of 29.1 months (interquartile range 12.8 to 50.9 months), 13.1% underwent target vessel revascularization, 71.4% were alive, and 70.5% remained symptom-free.

CONCLUSIONS

In experienced hands, stenting for symptomatic VAS can be accomplished with a very high success rate (100%), with few periprocedural complications, and is associated with durable symptom resolution in the majority (approximately 80%) of patients. We conclude that endovascular stenting of vertebral artery atherosclerotic disease is safe and effective compared with surgical controls and should be considered first-line therapy for this disease.

Complications of angioplasty and stenting of cervicocerebral arteries in Iran

Angioplasty and stenting of the cervicocerebral arteries is a novel treatment for atherosclerotic stenosis, which has periprocedural complications. Data were collected prospectively from 2007 to 2009 in a multicenter cohort of patients undergoing interventions for cervicocerebral stenosis. Retrospective assessment of the 2003-2006 archives of the same interventionists and a review of their published work is the second part of this national survey. In 592 extracranial internal carotid artery angioplasty and stenting procedures in 581 patients (73% male; mean age, 63.4 + or - 7 years), transient ischemic attack, stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and death occurred in 1.7%, 1.7%, 0.34%, and 1.52%, respectively. In 114 extracranial vertebral artery angioplasty and stenting procedures in 110 patients (68% male; mean age, 65.3 + or - 6 years), transient ischemic attack and stroke each developed in 1 (0.92%) patient, but there was no intracerebral hemorrhage or death. In 70 intracranial angioplasty and stenting procedures in 67 patients (76% male; mean age, 68.5 + or - 8 years), transient ischemic attack, stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and death were observed in 1.4%, 8.6%, 1.4%, and 2.9%, respectively. The frequency of periprocedural complications in angioplasty and stenting of cervicocerebral arteries by our neurointerventionists was similar to that in developed countries.

Angioplasty and stenting of symptomatic and asymptomatic vertebral artery stenosis: to treat or not to treat

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Comprehensive indications for treatment of symptomatic vertebral stenosis remain unavailable. Even less is known about endovascular treatment of asymptomatic cases. We treated symptomatic and asymptomatic vertebral ostium stenosis with angioplasty and stenting and investigated the long term outcome.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with two different indications were included. Group 1 (G1) had symptomatic >50% stenosis. Group 2 (G2) had asymptomatic >50% stenosis and severe lesions of anterior circulation and were expected to benefit from additional cerebral blood supply.

RESULTS

Twenty nine vertebral origin stenoses in 28 patients (75% men, mean age 64 +/- 9 years) were treated. There were 16 G1 and 13 G2 cases. Technical success rate was 100%. Immediate neurological complications rate was 3.4% (one G1 patient with vertebral TIA due to release of emboli). Two further strokes were seen during follow up (32 +/- 24 months): vertebrobasilar stroke in a G2 patient with permeable stent in V1 segment, new ipsilateral V3 occlusion and high-risk cardioembolic source, and carotid stroke in a G1 patient who had had ipsilateral carotid stenting. There were no deaths of any cause. Asymptomatic restenosis was observed in one out of 19 patients from both groups who underwent a follow up angiography.

CONCLUSIONS

Angioplasty and stenting appears to be technically feasible and safe in asymptomatic and symptomatic vertebral stenosis. More studies are needed in order to clarify its role in primary and secondary prevention of vertebrobasilar stroke. High risk anterior circulation lesions should be taken into account as a possible indication in patients with asymptomatic vertebral stenosis.

Vertebral artery ostial stent placement for atherosclerotic stenosis in 72 consecutive patients: clinical outcomes and follow-up results

INTRODUCTION

The study's purpose is to report the technical and clinical outcomes of a patient cohort that underwent vertebral artery ostium stent placement for atherosclerotic stenosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed a prospectively collected database of neurointerventional procedures performed at a single center from 1999 to 2005. Outcome measures included recurrent transient neurological deficits (TNDs), stroke, and death. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate stroke- and/or death-free survival at 12 months. Cox proportional hazard was used to identify risk factors for recurrent vertebrobasilar ischemic events.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients with 77 treated vertebral ostial lesions were included. The 30-day stroke and/or death rate was 5.2% (n = 4), although no event was directly related to the vertebral ostium stent placement. Three procedure-related strokes were secondary to attempted stent placement at other sites (one carotid artery and two basilar arteries), and the one death was secondary to the presenting stroke severity. The mean clinical follow-up time available for 66 patients was 9 months. There were 14 TNDs (21%), two strokes (3%), and two deaths (3%) recorded in the follow-up. Recurrent vertebrobasilar ischemic events occurred in nine patients (seven TNDs and two strokes). No recurrent stroke and/or deaths were related to the treated vertebral ostium. Stroke- and/or death-free survival rate (including periprocedural stroke and/or death) was 89 +/- 5% at 12 months. No vascular risk factor was significantly associated with recurrent vertebrobasilar ischemic events.

CONCLUSIONS

Vertebral artery ostium stent placement can be safely and effectively performed with a low rate of recurrent stroke in the territory of the treated vessel. Patients who also underwent attempted treatment of a tandem intracranial stenosis appeared to be at highest risk for periprocedure stroke.

VAST: Vertebral Artery Stenting Trial. Protocol for a randomised safety and feasibility trial

Background

Twenty to 30 percent of all transient ischaemic attacks and ischaemic strokes involve tissue supplied by the vertebrobasilar circulation. Atherosclerotic stenosis ≥ 50% in the vertebral artery accounts for vertebrobasilar stroke in at least one third of the patients. The risk of recurrent vascular events in patients with vertebral stenosis is uncertain and revascularisation of vertebral stenosis is rarely performed. Observational studies have suggested that the risk of subsequent stroke or death in patients with vertebrobasilar ischaemic events is comparable with that in patients with carotid territory events. Treatment of vertebral stenosis by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty has been introduced as an attractive treatment option. The safety and benefit of stenting of symptomatic vertebral stenosis as compared with best medical therapy alone remains to be elucidated in a randomised clinical trial.

Study objectives

The primary aim of the Vertebral Artery Stenting Trial (VAST) is to assess whether stenting for symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis ≥ 50% is feasible and safe. A secondary aim is to assess the rate of new vascular events in the territory of the vertebrobasilar arteries in patients with symptomatic vertebral stenosis ≥ 50% on best medical therapy with or without stenting.

Design

This is a randomised, open clinical trial, comparing best medical treatment with or without vertebral artery stenting in patients with recently symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis ≥ 50%. The trial will include a total of 180 patients with transient ischaemic attack or non-disabling ischaemic stroke attributed to vertebral artery stenosis ≥ 50%. The primary outcome is any stroke, vascular death, or non-fatal myocardial infarction within 30 days after start of treatment. Secondary outcome measures include any stroke or vascular death during follow-up and the degree of (re)stenosis after one year.

Discussion

Improvements both in imaging of the vertebral artery and in endovascular techniques have created new opportunities for the treatment of symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis. This trial will assess the feasibility and safety of stenting for symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis and will provide sufficient data to inform a conclusive randomised trial testing the benefit of this treatment strategy. The VAST is supported by the Netherlands Heart Foundation (2007B045; ISRCTN29597900).

Endovascular treatment of vertebral artery-origin and innominate/subclavian disease: indications and technique

Approximately 20% to 40% of patients who have cerebral vascular disease have a vertebral artery-origin stenosis. Atherosclerotic lesions of vertebral arety origin are a potential cause of posterior circulation ischemia, which can be disabling or deadly. Endovascular treatment of vertebral artery-origin and innominate/subclavian artery stenosis has changed in the last 15 years. Surgery usually is successful technically; however, it is also associated with high rates of procedural and periprocedural complications. New techniques and technologies that can be used in the treatment of such lesions are being developed. In this article, the authors discuss the indications, technical aspects, and long-term results of angioplasty and stenting of these vessels.