Interventional Management of Intracranial Stenosis

Abstract

Worldwide, intracranial atherosclerosis is the most common cause of ischemic stroke and is associated with a high risk of recurrence. Endovascular therapies including angioplasty and stent implantation may help in secondary stroke prevention due to intracranial stenosis, however rigorous appraisal of clinical efficacy is currently lacking. This review aims to introduce the basic concepts involved with endovascular treatment of intracranial stenosis, its strengths and limitations, and discuss the available data. The importance of patient selection, procedural risks, patient outcomes, and surveillance goals are also highlighted.