Restenosis Rates following Vertebral Artery Origin Stenting: Does Stem Type Make a Difference?

Objectives. To compare our experience with sirolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting scents (drug. eluting scents [DES]) and non-drug-eluting stems (NDES) for treatment of vertebral artery (VA) origin stenosis and review the literature. Methods. A retrospective review of our prospectivey collected database was performed. Clinical and radiologic follow up was obtained by reviewing office records and radiology. Data collected included demographics: comorbidities presenting symptoms, stenosis severity, contralateral VA stenosis and/or carotid stenosis, type of stent used, angioplasty before or after stenting, post-treatment residual stenosis, clinical and radiological follow up and retreatment. Patients with symptomatic > 60% stenosis or asymptomatic > 70% stenosis and/or a hypoplastic or oc-duded contralateral VA or significant carotid occlusion were chosen for revascularization. Results. Thirty-five patients treated with NDES and 15 treated with DES for management of VA origin stenosis were identified.