ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate our short term results in endovascular treatment of symptomatic vertebral arteral stenosis with stents. Methods Balloon expanded stents were utilized to pass across the vertebral arterial stenosis, and then the balloons were inflated for the deployment of stents, outcoming with restoration of the stenosis to normal size. Results Forty five patients presented with posterior circulation ischemic symptoms and refractory to medical therapy were undertaken with endovascular stenting, showing technically successful in forty three of them. The mean degrees of preoperative and postoperative stenosis were 75.7% and 10.3%, respectively. Follow up data showed disappearence of clinical symptoms in 35 patients, chinical implovement and stabilization in 2. There were no intimal dissection and distal embolization. Short term follow up angiogram revealed no restenosis and intimal hyperplasia. Conclusions Endovascular stenting may be a favorable alternative for the treatment of vertebral arterial stenosis, but long term follow up is necessary.