Outcome of intracranial arterial stenting of symptomatic atherosclerotic disease: A single center experience from Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE To present our local experience with intracranial angioplasty and stenting used for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial stenosis to assess its safety, efficacy, and outcome. METHODS This is a retrospective review of all the patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease who underwent endovascular treatment in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and research center, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 2003 to December 2014. Clinical, procedural, and outcome variables were gathered. RESULTS We identified 22 patients who were referred for stenting of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. In all but 3, the stents were deployed successfully (86% procedural success rate). The procedure was carried out under conscious sedation in 32%. Excellent flow was restored immediately in all successfully-stented cases. Post procedural strokes occurred in 4 patients (17.4%). One non-neurological death was identified in a patient who suffered a major post procedural stroke (4.3%). CONCLUSION Intracranial atherosclerotic disease is not uncommon in our population. Angioplasty and stenting might be a valid option for the treatment of patients with recurrent symptoms despite optimal medical treatment.