RESUMEN
Objective:To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of Apollo stent in the treatment of symptomatic basilar artery stenosis.Methods:Patients with symptomatic basilar artery stenosis admitted to the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from January 2017 to May 2020 were selected and treated with Apollo stent implantation. The changes of clinical symptoms and the success rate of operation were evaluated. Postoperative complications included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, hyperperfusion, and new ischemic stroke, and follow-up results were evaluated 3 to 6 months later.Results:A total of 96 patients were included in this study, and all of them were confirmed by angiography to have severe basilar artery stenosis corresponding to the symptoms. Among them, 88 patients received stent implantation, with a success rate of 100%. Among the 88 patients, 86 received Apollo stent implantation, and 2 patients received self-Peng stent implantation. Among 86 patients with Apollo stent implantation, the lesions were located in the proximal segment in 73 cases (84.88%), in the middle segment in 10 cases (11.63%), and in the distal segment in 3 cases (3.49%). The degree of stenosis was (93.72±3.86)%, the length of stenosis was (8.50±2.65)mm, the residual stenosis rate was (1.76±4.87)%, and Mori type A lesions in 80 cases, type B lesions in 3 cases, and type C lesions in 3 cases. Among 86 patients with Apollo stent implantation, the incidence of perioperative neurological complications was 6.98%(6/86), including 1 case in the proximal part of the basilar artery (vascular rupture), 3 cases in the middle part of the basilar artery (perforating artery occlusion in 1 case, acute thrombosis artery occlusion in 2 cases), and 2 cases in the distal part (both acute vascular occlusion). Alteplase was injected into the microcatheter during the operation, and contact thrombolysis was performed. Immediately digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed that the blood vessels were opened, and 1 case with neurological deficit was left. No hyperperfusion occurred in all patients. All patients were followed up for three months after operation. Among them, 58 patients had a good prognosis in the proximal segment of the basilar artery, 18 patients had a good prognosis in the middle segment, 4 patients had a good prognosis in the distal segment, and 6 patients had a bad prognosis (1 patient died). Postoperative stent restenosis occurred in 5 cases (5.81%), recurrent stroke in 3 cases (3.49%), and disabling stroke in 1 case (1.16%).Conclusions:Apollo stent is safe and effective in the treatment of symptomatic basilar artery stenosis, with good short-term prognosis, and long-term prognosis needs to be further studied.