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Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 18, 2018
The contemporary management of intracranial atherosclerotic disease
Xinyi Leng1, Ka Sing Wong1, Thomas W Leung1
1a Department of Medicine & Therapeutics , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China.
Insights
Intracranial atherosclerotic disease is a major cause of stroke, particularly in certain ethnicities. Aggressive risk factor management and antiplatelet therapy are key for secondary prevention in symptomatic patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is a leading cause of stroke and cerebral vasculopathy globally.
- Prevalence is higher in Asian, Hispanic, and African populations, posing significant public health challenges.
- Symptomatic ICAD carries a substantial risk of recurrent stroke within one year.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding and management strategies for intracranial atherosclerotic disease.
- To highlight the importance of secondary stroke prevention through risk factor modification.
- To discuss contemporary and emerging treatment options for ICAD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on intracranial atherosclerotic disease.
- Analysis of epidemiological data and risk factor prevalence.
- Evaluation of current and investigational therapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- Aggressive control of cardiovascular risks (glycemic, blood pressure, lipids) and antiplatelet therapy are crucial for secondary prevention.
- For high-grade symptomatic steno-occlusion, dual antiplatelet therapy followed by single antiplatelet therapy may reduce recurrence.
- Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting are not currently recommended as initial treatment.
Conclusions:
- Effective secondary prevention of stroke from ICAD relies on understanding stroke mechanisms and managing conventional risk factors.
- Current evidence supports medical management, including antiplatelet therapy, over revascularization for most patients.
- Further research is needed to identify high-risk patients and evaluate novel therapies.
Abstract:
Intracranial atherosclerotic disease is the most common cause of cerebral vasculopathy and an important stroke etiology worldwide, with a higher prevalence in Asian, Hispanic and African ethnicities. Symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease portends a recurrent stroke risk as high as 18% at one year. The key to secondary prevention is an understanding of the underlying stroke mechanism and aggressive control of conventional cardiovascular risks. Contemporary treatment includes antiplatelet therapy, optimal glycemic and blood pressure control, statin therapy and lifestyle modifications. For patients with high-grade (70-99%) symptomatic steno-occlusion, short-term dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel followed by life-long single antiplatelet therapy may reduce the recurrent risk. Current evidence does not advocate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting as an initial treatment. External counterpulsation, encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis and remote limb ischemic preconditioning are treatments under investigation. Future studies should aim at predicting patients prone to recurrence despite of medical therapies and testing the efficacy of emerging therapies.
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