Intracranial stenting of severe symptomatic intracranial stenosis: Results of 100 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are a few reports regarding the outcome evaluation of balloon-expandable intracranial stent placement (BEICS). The purpose of our study was to evaluate the outcome and factors related to the adverse events (AEs) of BEICS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 100 consecutive patients who underwent BEICS. We assessed the procedural success residual stenosis < 50%), AEs (minor strokes, major strokes, and death), clinical outcome, and restenosis > 50%) at 6 months. We also analyzed 18 factors including symptom patterns related to AE rate. Symptom patterns revealed 1) stable patients (n = 73) with improving, stationary, or resolved symptoms; and 2) unstable patients (n = 27) with gradual worsening or fluctuating symptoms (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] >= 4) within 2 days before stent placement. RESULTS: The procedural success rate was 99%. Overall, there were 10 (10%) AEs within the 6 months: 4 (4%) minor strokes, 3 (3%) major strokes, and 3 (3%) deaths including a death from myocardial infarction. AE rate was 4.1% in stable and 25.9% in unstable patients. Restenosis at 6 months revealed 0% (0/59). Good outcome (modified Rankin Scale :<= 2) at 6 months was 97% (71/73) in stable and 67% (18/27) in unstable patients. Stepwise logistic regression model revealed that symptom pattern (unstable versus stable) was the only significant risk factor (OR, 8.167; 95% Cl, 1.933-34.500; P =.004). CONCLUSION: BEICS revealed a low AE and good outcome rate at 6 months, especially in the stable patients. Midterm outcome was also favorable in the unstable patient group.