Plasma Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Concentration Is Associated with Intracranial Cerebral Atherosclerosis in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

Efficiency of Air Bubble Removal in Preparation of Low-Profile Angioplasty Balloon Catheter: Bench-Top Comparison of Six Methods / 신경중재치료의학

PURPOSE: Complete removal of air bubbles from balloons for neurovascular angioplasty is cumbersome. We compared the preparation difficulty, air removal efficiency, and air collection pattern of six different balloon catheter preparation methods to propose a better preparation method for both initial and second balloon uses, especially for small-profile angioplasty balloon catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 neurovascular angioplasty balloon catheters with nominal diameters of 2 mm were prepared to test six different preparation methods: the instruction for use method (method A), simplified method using a syringe (method B) and four newly devised preparation methods using inflating devices (methods C–F). Serial radiographs were obtained while the balloons were gradually inflated. We measured the time for each preparation and the bubble number, analyzed their distribution in the balloon, and calculated the contrast filling ratio (contrast filling area/total balloon area) for initial and second ballooning. The whole process was repeated three times. RESULTS: The preparation time varied widely (11.5 seconds [method D] to 73.3 seconds [method A]). On initial inflation, the contrast filling ratio at 8 atm was the highest (100%) with methods A and F. On second inflation, the ratio was again highest with method A (99.5%), followed by method F (99.2%). Initial ballooning tended to show a uniform pattern of single bubble in the distal segment of the balloon; in contrast, second ballooning showed varying patterns in which the bubbles were multiple and randomly distributed. CONCLUSION: None of the six methods were able to completely exclude air bubbles from the balloon catheters including the second ballooning; however, the method of repeating aspiration with high-volume inflating device (method F) could be a practical option considering the simplicity and efficiency of preparation.

Development of researches in intracranial atherosclerosis based on the high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging / 中国脑血管病杂志

Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is a common cause of ischemic stroke. The symptomatic ICAS is closely associated with frequent stroke recurrence, while the asymptomatic ICAS has evidently higher risk of future stroke onset. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging is regarded as a significant emerging method. In addition to non-invasive identification of intracranial artery stenosis causes, accurate stroke mechanism judgment and plaque stability evaluation, it has great advantages and clinical value in observing the dynamic evolution of lesions and characteristics of perforating arteries, evaluation of drug efficacy and guidance of intravascular treatment of intracranial artery stenosis. The article aims to review the recent development of researches in the mentioned aspects.

Intracranial Atherosclerosis And The Earlobe Crease (Frank's Sign). A Population Study / Aterosclerosis Intracraneal Y Pliegue Auricular (Signo De Frank). Estudio Poblacional

ABSTRACT Background: The earlobe crease (ELC) has been linked to coronary artery disease and other vascular conditions, but there is no information on its association with intracranial atherosclerosis. Objective: This study aimed to assess the association between high calcium content in the carotid siphons (as a surrogate of intracranial atherosclerosis) and ELC in community-dwelling adults living in rural Ecuador. Methods: Atahualpa residents aged ≥40 years underwent head CT to estimate calcium content in the carotid siphons, and visual inspection of both earlobes to evaluate the presence of ELC. The association between both variables was assessed by logistic regression models, after adjusting for demographics and cardiovascular risk factors. Results: Of 651 enrolled individuals (mean age: 59.7±12.8 years; 54% women), 225 (35%) had ELC, and 143 (22%) had high calcium content in the carotid siphons. Univariate logistic regression showed a borderline (non-significant) association between high calcium content in the carotid siphons and ELC presence (OR: 1.44; 95% C.I.: 0.99 - 2.12; p=0.057), which disappeared when age (OR: 0.98; 95% C.I.: 0.65 - 1.48; p=0.923) and other covariables (OR: 0.97; 95% C.I.: 0.63 - 1.49; p=0.890) were added to the model. Conclusion: This population study shows no association between high calcium content in the carotid siphons and ELC presence.

RESUMEN Antecedentes: El pliegue auricular se ha relacionado con enfermedad coronaria y otras patologías vasculares, pero no hay información sobre su asociación con aterosclerosis intracraneal. Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la asociación entre el contenido de calcio en los sifones carotideos (como un sustituto de aterosclerosis intracraneal) y el pliegue auricular en adultos viven en zonas rurales de Ecuador. Métodos: Los residentes de Atahualpa de 40 años o más fueron sometidos a TC de cerebro para estimar el contenido de calcio en los sifones carotideos. Además, ambas orejas fueron examinadas para detectar la presencia de pliegues auriculares. La asociación entre ambas variables se evaluó mediante modelos de regresión logística, ajustados por factores demográficos y de riesgo cardiovascular. Resultados: De 651 individuos enrolados (edad media: 59,7±12,8 años, 54% mujeres), 225 (35%) tuvieron pliegues auriculares y 143 (22%) tuvieron alto contenido de calcio en los sifones carotideos. La regresión logística univariada mostró una asociación limítrofe (no significativa) entre el contenido de calcio en los sifones carotideos y la presencia de pliegue auricular (OR: 1.44, 95%IC: 0.99 - 2.12, p=0.057), que desapareció cuando la edad (OR: 0.98; 95% I.C.: 0,65 - 1,48; p=0,923) y otras covariables (OR: 0,97; 95% I.C.: 0,63 - 1,49; p=0,890) fueron agregadas al modelo estadístico. Conclusión: El presente estudio no mostró asociación entre el contenido de calcio en los sifones carotídeos y la presencia de pliegue auricular.

Intracranial Atherosclerosis: From Microscopy to High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Intracranial atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of ischemic stroke and occurs more commonly in patients of Asian, African or Hispanic origin than in Caucasians. Although the histopathology of intracranial atherosclerotic disease resembles extracranial atherosclerosis, there are some notable differences in the onset and severity of atherosclerosis. Current understanding of intracranial atherosclerotic disease has been advanced by the high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI), a novel emerging imaging technique that can directly visualize the vessel wall pathology. However, the pathological validation of HRMRI signal characteristics remains a key step to depict the plaque components and vulnerability in intracranial atherosclerotic lesions. The purpose of this review is to describe the histological features of intracranial atherosclerosis and to state current evidences regarding the validation of MR vessel wall imaging with histopathology.

Medical Treatment of Intracranial Atherosclerosis: An Update / 대한뇌졸중학회지

For patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS), antithrombotic agents are the mainstay of therapy. Anticoagulation (warfarin) is not widely used since it is not more effective than aspirin and carries a high risk of bleeding. New oral anticoagulants are showing promise, but their use has not been investigated in appropriate clinical trials. Since the recurrent stroke risk is high with aspirin monotherapy, dual antiplatelets are considered in the early stage of symptomatic ICAS. Based on the Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients with Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events (CHANCE) and Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) results, aspirin plus clopidogrel has been recommended. However, this combination was not superior to aspirin monotherapy in patients with ICAS in the CHANCE substudy. Progression of ICAS is common, and it is associated with recurrent strokes. In the Trial of Cilostazol in Symptomatic Intracranial Arterial Stenosis (TOSS) study, aspirin plus cilostazol was more effective than aspirin monotherapy in preventing progression. The TOSS II trial showed that the overall change in stenosis was better with aspirin plus cilostazol than with aspirin plus clopidogrel. Aside from antithrombotic therapy, risk factor management is critical for secondary prevention, and high blood pressure is clearly linked to recurrent stroke. However, blood pressure may have to be cautiously managed in the early stage of stroke. Considering that ICAS is the major cause of stroke worldwide, further investigations are needed to establish optimal management strategies for patients with ICAS.

Angioplasty, Stenting and Other Potential Treatments of Atherosclerotic Stenosis of the Intracranial Arteries: Past, Present and Future / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Although there is an intuitive appeal to treat symptomatic stenotic intracranial arteries with endovascular therapies such as angioplasty and stenting, current data from randomized trials show intensive medical therapy is far superior for preventing stroke. This is in large part due to the high risk of peri-procedural stroke from angioplasty and stenting. If angioplasty and stenting is to emerge as a proven treatment for intracranial stenosis, endovascular techniques will need to become much safer, identification of patients with intracranial stenosis who are at particularly high risk of stroke despite intensive medical therapy will need to be targeted, and well-designed randomized trials will be necessary to show endovascular therapy is superior to medical therapy in these high-risk patients.

Relationship between cognitive impairment and cerebrovascular stenosis in patients with subcortical infarction / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the intracranial vascular lesions in patients with subcortical infarction-induced vascular cognitive impairment(VCI), and to investigate the etiology and mechanisms of VCI. Methods Inpatients with subcortical infarction in our hospital were enrolled in this study from Nov. 2012 to Feb. 2014, with those unable to complete the cognitive evaluation eliminated. According to the diagnostic criteria of VCI the patients were divided into two groups: 49 with cognitive impairment (VCI group) and 42 without cognitive impairment (NVCI group). The clinical data, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale scores were collected. Cerebral blood vessels were assessed by CT angiography or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Results The results showed that, according to TOAST classification, VCI group had 24 (48.98%) patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) and NVCI group had 22 (52.38%), showing no significant difference between the two groups. CTA or MRA indicated that 37 (75.51%) patients in VCI group had vascular stenosis, with 75.25% of the 37 patients having intracranial vascular stenosis and 28.71% with middle cerebral artery stenosis. Patients with single cerebral artery stenosis accounted for 18.37% and those with the multiple artery stenosis accounted for 57.14%. CTA or MRA indicated that 34 (80.95%) patients in NVCI group had vascular stenosis, with 60% having intracranial vascular stenosis, including 32% with middle cerebral artery stenosis, 26.19% with single cerebral artery stenosis, and 54.76% with the multiple artery stenosis, with the latter two data being significantly different from the VCI group (P s=-0.283, P <0.05). Conclusion Different from the common causes of small blood vessels, LAA is the most common etiology of subcortical VCI, which implied that exploring the LAA causes of small lesions is crucial for the prevention of VCI in Chinese patients.

Clinical Characteristics in Lacunar Infarction with Less Than 50% Stenosis in the Parent Artery

BACKGROUND: Contrary to the initial hypothesis, there is accumulating evidence that the pathogenesis of lacunar infarction (LI) is heterogeneous. LI is often accompanied by intracranial stenosis, and while the clinical significance of severe stenosis of the intracranial parent artery in LI has been demonstrated, that of mild stenosis in LI has not been. Thus the aim of this study was to determine the clinical relevance of mild intracranial stenosis in LI. METHODS: Ninety-three consecutive patients with acute LI were enrolled between March 2011 and December 2013. The patients were divided according to the presence of intracranial stenosis in the parent artery into pure LI (PLI) and LI with mild intracranial stenosis (<50% stenosis, BAD). Various clinical and laboratory characteristics were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: PLI group were older and, had a less frequent history of smoking, a larger infarct, lower likelihood of a favorable outcome, and higher National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score at discharge in the univariate analysis. After adjusting for confounding factors, BAD was associated with older age at onset [odds ratio (OR) = 1.113, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.056-1.172, p<0.001), no history of previous statin medication (OR = 13.362, 95% CI = 1.014-176.062, p=0.049), and nonsignificant stenosis in the parent artery was associated with larger infarct (beta=0.296, p=0.01) in the multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: LI with mild parent-artery disease was demonstrated to have distinct clinical characteristics compared to LI without parent artery disease. Thus, even mild branch atheromatous disease in LI should be evaluated thoroughly and treated via a planned and systematic approach.

Clinical effect observation of angioplasty for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis / 中国脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of angioplasty for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. Methods Eighty-two patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis whom underwent angioplasty after the failure of standard medical therapy were enrolled from Nan-jing Stroke Registry Program from September 2010 to June 2013.Nine of them underwent routine balloon angioplasty alone and 73 underwent intracranial stenting.The median time from onset to surgery was 24.5 days.The occurrence of endpoint events (any stroke ≤30 d after procedure,death and ischemic stroke >30 d in guilty vessels or original stenosis had restenosis and needed to be treated again)was assessed. The incidence of restenosis was followed up with imaging (CTA or DSA). Results (1)In the 82 patients, the success rate of operation was 92.7%(n=72 ),and 78 (95.1%)received follow-up,4 were lost to follow-up.The median follow-up time was 22.5 months (range 9 to 29 months ).Ten patients had an endpoint event,7 of them were ischemic stroke,1 was cerebral hemorrhage,and two were severe asymptomatic restenosis who underwent stenting again.The endpoint events of 3 patients occurred at day 30 after procedure (at ≤24 h after procedure).Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the incidences of cumulative endpoint events at 1,6,12,and 24 months were 3.7%,8.6%,11%,and 13%,respectively.(2)60 patients (73.2%)received imaging examination (11 CTA and 49 DSA ).Restenosis occurred in 17 patients (28.3%),among them the incidence of symptomatic restenosis was 5%(n =3 ),and asymptomatic restenosis was 23.3%(n=14). Conclusion After a comprehensive assessment and a rigorous screening, the safety is high and the mid- and long-term efficacy are satisfactory in patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis who are treated with angioplasty when their medical treatment is invalid.

Value of carotid and lower limbs arteries atherosclerosis in prediction of intracranial atherosclerosis combined with type 2 diabetes / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the value of carotid and lower limbs arteries atherosclerosis in prediction of intracranial atherosclerosis combined with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods Seventy-four patients with T2DM received the carotid artery , lower limbs arterial color Doppler ultrasound and cranial MRA examination. The data was analysised by Pearson correlation and Binary Logistic methods. Results With the increasement of degree of peri-arterial atherosclerosis , the intracranial arteriosclerosis was in a trend of increase. The correlation coefficients, OR values and AUC of LLAS and CAS + LLAS for intracranial atherosclerosis were 0.28 (P < 0.05) and 0.33 (P < 0.05), 0.14 (P < 0.05) and 9.28 (P < 0.05), 70.30% (P < 0.05) and 70.60% (P < 0.05), respectively. The cut-off point of LLAS and CAS + LLAS was lever 2. Conclusion The LLAS and CAS + LLAS with T2DM are independent risk factors for intracranial atherosclerosis , owning certain forecast values.

Research on Intracranial Atherosclerosis from the East and West: Why Are the Results Different? / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is a major cause of stroke worldwide and is more common in Asians than Caucasians. The study results from the East and West are generally similar, but notable differences exist. For example, studies from the East have reported that ICAS is associated with young age, whereas ICAS seems to be associated with old age in the West. Studies from the East have strongly suggested that mild ICAS associated with branch occlusion is one of the main causes of single subcortical infarction, whereas this aspect has not been considered in stroke classification systems developed in the West. While clopidogrel is commonly used in patients with large artery disease in the West, cilostazol has been more extensively studied and commonly used in ICAS patients in the East. A randomized controlled study from the West reported negative results regarding the efficacy of stenting in ICAS patients due largely to a relatively high rate of periprocedural adverse events, whereas research papers from the East have reported a relatively lower rate of complications. Studies to narrow these East-West gaps should be performed, including risk factor studies using homogenous ethnic populations, studies investigating appropriate classification systems, drug trials in different ethnic populations, and rigorous high standard randomized controlled studies on the efficacy of stenting in Eastern populations.

Ischemic Stroke Subtype Classification: An Asian Viewpoint / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Proper classification of the causative mechanism of stroke is important for optimizing stroke treatment and assessing prognosis. The primary etiology of stroke differs according to race and ethnicity: emboli originating from the heart or extracranial large arteries are common in Western populations, whereas small-vessel occlusion or intracranial atherosclerosis is more prevalent in Asians. Intracranial atherosclerosis frequently leads to stroke by branch-artery occlusion, and the degree of stenosis in these cases is often <50%. Mild intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis may cause distal embolization, if the atherosclerotic plaque is sufficiently vulnerable. Moreover, high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging studies have identified small plaques causing infarction, even in patients with normal-appearing vascular findings. Such cases, which are prevalent in Asia, could not be classified as large-artery atherosclerosis by previous classification systems. Additionally, single subcortical infarctions, which are usually attributed to lipohyalinotic small-vessel disease, can have other causes, including microatheroma of perforators and atherothrombotic lesions at the parental artery. Single subcortical infarctions associated with parental artery disease or those bordering on the main vessel more often have atherosclerotic characteristics than do those associated with lipohyalinosis of the penetrating artery. In countries where intracranial atherosclerosis is common, such atherosclerotic single subcortical infarctions are predicted to be prevalent. These cases, however, could not be appropriately classified in previous systems. Further effort should be devoted to formulate ischemic stroke classification systems that adequately incorporate results of recent studies and reflect the underling pathologic mechanisms, especially in patients with single subcortical infarction and intracranial atherosclerosis.

The Response of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Medical Treatment Is Correlated with That of Intracranial Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is considered as a major cause of stroke. The carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), which accurately reflects the burden of generalized atherosclerosis, is also associated with stroke. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the CIMT and ICAS responses to medical treatment. METHODS: This study constituted part of the "Trial of cilostazol in symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis"-2 that evaluated the ICAS response after randomized antiplatelet treatment. Magnetic resonance angiography and CIMT measurement were performed at baseline and after 7 months of treatment. CIMT was measured using semiautomated software, and was presented as maximum (CIMT-max) and average (CIMT-ave) values. The change in CIMT was compared relative to the ICAS response (i.e., progression, no-change, and regression). Ordinal logistic regression and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyze the association between the responses. RESULTS: Among the 101 enrolled patients, 85 underwent follow-up CIMT measurement. CIMT increased most in the ICAS progression group (CIMT-max: 0.09+/-0.23, CIMT-ave: 0.04+/-0.12), and to a lesser degree in the no-change group (CIMT-max: 0.02+/-0.16, CIMT-ave: 0.02+/-0.11), but decreased in patients with ICAS regression (CIMT-max: -0.04+/-0.11, CIMT-ave: -0.03+/-0.07; CIMT-max: p=0.010, CIMT-ave: p=0.015). Ordinal logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the change in CIMT-max was independently associated with the ICAS response (p=0.032). However, the ANCOVA revealed that the reverse was not true, in that the ICAS response was not independently associated with the change in CIMT after adjusting for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: The ICAS response may be associated with the CIMT response to medical treatment.

An update on interventional revascularization therapy of intracranial arterial steno-occlusive diseases

Intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) has been recognized as one of the major causes of ischemic stroke especially in Asian countries including Korea. There have been some arguments on the optimal management strategy over this condition. The purpose of this review is to briefly summarize its clinical significance and the current status of neurointerventional revascularization treatment. The mechanisms of stroke in ICAS are hemodynamic insufficiency, artery-to-artery embolism, athero-thrombosis, or branch artery occlusion. The first-line treatment of symptomatic ICAS is medical treatment. Balloon angioplasty followed by stent placement can be performed to improve perfusion abnormality and elimination of future embolic sources. However, a recent randomized trial on stent vs. medical management failed to show any benefit of angioplasty/stenting. Endovascular therapy is now reserved only for high-risk symptomatic cases refractory to the best medical management. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging may help provide a better understanding of the disease and patient selection for the optimal treatment modality. Improvement of the device is mandatory to facilitate procedure safety and efficacy. The role of strict medical management which, includes risk factor modification in ICAS, has become critical. Patient outcomes could be improved if we could provide safer and efficacious technology and procedural techniques for intracranial angioplasty and stenting, especially in selected high-risk patients.

Urgent Recanalization with Stenting for Severe Intracranial Atherosclerosis after Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Stroke

OBJECTIVE: Stenting of symptomatic intracranial stenosis has recently become an alternative treatment modality. However, urgent intracranial stenting in patients with intracranial stenosis following a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is open to dispute. We sought to assess the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of urgent intracranial stenting for severe stenosis (>70%) in TIA or minor stroke patients. METHODS: Between June 2009 and October 2010, stent-assisted angioplasty by using a balloon-expandable coronary stent for intracranial severe stenosis (>70%) was performed in 7 patients after TIA and 5 patients after minor stroke (14 stenotic lesions). Technical success rates, complications, angiographic findings, and clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Stenting was successful in all 12 patients. The mean time from symptom onset to stenting was 2.1 days (1-8 days). Post-procedural angiography showed restoration to a normal luminal diameter in all patients. In-stent thrombosis occurred in one patient (n=1, 8.3%), and was lysed with abciximab. No device-related complications, such as perforations or dissections at the target arteries or intracranial hemorrhaging, occurred in any patient. The mortality rate was 0%. No patient had an ischemic event over the mean follow-up period of 12.5 months (range, 7-21 months), and follow-up angiography (n=7) revealed no significant in-stent restenosis (>50%). CONCLUSION: Urgent recanalization with stenting is feasible, safe, and effective in patients with TIA or acute minor stroke with intracranial stenosis of > or =70%.

Assessment of the Intracranial Stents Patency and Re-Stenosis by 16-Slice CT Angiography with Optimized Sharp Kernel : Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: Our retrospective study aimed to determine whether 16-slice computerized tomography (CT) angiography optimized sharp kernel is suitable for the evaluation of visibility, luminal patency and re-stenosis of intracranial stents in comparison with conventional angiography. METHODS: Fifteen patients with symptomatic intracranial stenotic lesions underwent balloon expandable stent deployment of these lesions (10 middle cerebral arteries, 2 intracranial vertebral arteries, and 3 intracranial internal carotid arteries). CT angiography follow-up ranged from 6 to 15 months (mean follow-up, 8 months) after implantation of intracranial stents and conventional angiography was confirmed within 2 days. Curved multiplanar reformations with maximal intensity projection (MIP) with optimal window settings for assessment of lumen of intracranial stents were evaluated for visible lumen diameter, stent patency (contrast distal to the stent as an indirect sign), and re-stenosis by two experienced radiologists who blinded to the reports from the conventional angiography. RESULTS: All of stents deployed into symptomatic stenotic lesions. All stents were classified as patent and no re-stenosis, which was correlated with results of conventional angiography. Parts of the stent lumen could be visualized in all cases. On average, 57% of the stent lumen diameter was visible using optimized sharp kernel. Significant improvement of lumen visualization (22%, p<0.01) was observed using the optimized sharp kernel compared with the standard sharp kernel. Inter-observer agreements on the measurement of lumen diameter and density were judged as good, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Sixteen-slice CT using the optimized sharp kernel may provide a useful information for evaluation of lumen diameter patency, and re-stenosis of intracranial stents.

Impact of Intracranial Cerebral Atherosclerosis on the Long-term Mortality after Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND: Intracranial cerebral atherosclerosis (ICAS) is an important cause of stroke, but it is not well-known whether and how much it contributes to the long-term prognosis of stroke patients. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the impact of ICAS on the long-term mortality of patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: From November 1998 to December 2002, a consecutive series of 1306 patients who were hospitalized due to acute ischemic stroke were listed in the stroke registry. Among them, 946 patients who underwent brain MRI and MRA were selected and their vital status was identified by the National Death certificates. RESULTS: Among 946 subjects, 624 (65.9%) had ICAS, while 106 (11.2%) had extracranial carotid atherosclerosis (ECAS). During a period of 59 months (27+/-16 months), 220 patients died. The 30-day, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year mortalities were 2.8%, 14.5%, 22.9%, 27.8% and 35.1% for those with ICAS (N=624); whereas 2.2%, 7.7%, 13.2%, 15.4% and 19.2% for those without ICAS (N=322) (p=0.0001 on log rank test). Crude hazard ratio (HR) of ICAS was 1.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.39 to 2.62), but adjusted HR of ICAS was 1.16 (0.82 to 1.62). The number of intracranial arteries with atherosclerosis and the existence of symptomatic ICAS were also considered. Both of them were significant predictors of the long-term mortality in crude analyses, but lost their significance after adjustments. CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to prove the independent contribution of ICAS to the mortality of patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease; Current Options for Surgical or Medical Treatment

Recently, intracranial atherosclerosis has become a major cause of ischemic stroke, appearing more frequently in Koreans than Caucasians. Symptomatic or asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis is a disease that could recur readily even during the treatment with anti-platelet agents. When the symptoms develop, ischemic stroke can not be recovered readily. Therefore, aggressive treatments such as endovascular therapy and bypass surgery are required in addition to medical treatment for the intracranial artery stenosis. Recent intracranial stenting and drug eluting stenting have shown as very advanced effective therapeutic modalities. Nevertheless, until now, a randomized controlled study has not been conducted. Regarding bypass surgery, since the failed EC-IC bypass surgery study performed 20 years ago, extensive studies on its efficacy has not been conducted yet, and thus it has to be performed strictly only in hemodynamically compromised patients. Unless breakthrough drugs that suppress the progression of intracranial atherosclerosis and the formation of thrombi, and facilitate the regression of the arterial stenosis, the treatment concept of the recovery of the blood flow of stenotic arterial territory by mechanical recanalization or bypass surgery would be remained for the prevention as well as treatment of ischemic stroke caused by intracranial atherosclerosis.

Interventional Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Stenosis / 国际脑血管病杂志

Intracranial stentosis is one of the important causes of ischemic stroke. In recently years, with the continuously development of endovascular intervention, angioplasty and stenting have become effective treatment options for intracranial stenosis. However, the indications, technical points, complications and prognosis of this treatment remain to be investigated and explored.