Current concepts in the management of intracranial atherosclerotic disease

Robert D Ecker1, Elad I Levy, Eric Sauvageau

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery,School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 14209, USA.

Neurosurgery
|October 21, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease poses a significant stroke risk. Advances in endovascular treatments offer new hope for managing this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Vascular Neurology
  • Interventional Neurology

Background:

  • Medically refractory symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) carries a poor prognosis.
  • The Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease study indicated a 13-14% risk of ipsilateral stroke at 1.8 years for patients with symptomatic ICAD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss recent clinical developments and concepts in the diagnosis and endovascular treatment of ICAD.
  • To highlight advancements in angioplasty, stenting, neuroimaging, and antithrombotic regimens for ICAD.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent clinical developments and concepts.
  • Discussion of synergistic advances in neuroimaging and endovascular techniques.
  • Analysis of periprocedural and postprocedural antithrombotic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Intracranial angioplasty and stenting, coupled with advanced neuroimaging and antithrombotic protocols, are evolving treatment paradigms.
  • New models for diagnosis and successful endovascular management of ICAD are emerging.

Conclusions:

  • Significant progress is being made in the endovascular treatment of intracranial stenosis.
  • Improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are enhancing outcomes for patients with ICAD.

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