Intracranial angioplasty with Gateway-Wingspan system for symptomatic atherosclerotic stenosis: preliminary results of 27 Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND We investigated the safety of treatment of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses with the Gateway-Wingspan system and its initial effect on prevention of ischemic events. METHODS Twenty-seven cases of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses were treated with angioplasty with a Wingspan stent. Location of stenoses, extent of stenoses before and after angioplasty, success rate of treatment, occurrence of procedural complications, and changes in recurrence of symptoms of ischemic events 30 days after treatment were recorded. RESULTS Twenty-nine angioplasties with the Wingspan system were successfully carried out in 29 stenoses in 27 patients. Of 29 stenoses, 17 were in the posterior circulation, and 12, in the anterior circulation. The degree of stenoses was reduced from baseline 71.8% (56%-87.8%) to 24.9% (0%-45%) after stenting. Complications were seen in four patients (14.8%), 3 of which were lesion-related infarction of a perforated artery, and 1 was a non-lesion-related infarction. Two complications led to transient neurologic dysfunction, one led to defect of the visual field, and one led to hemiplegia. The prevalence of morbidity and serious morbidity were 7.4% and 3.7%, respectively, and no death occurred. No new ischemic events happened during 30 days after stenting. CONCLUSION Angioplasty with the Wingspan system to treat symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses appears to be safe. Its initial effect on prevention of ischemic events is acceptable.