Comparative study between stenting and medication for vertebral artery origin stenosis / 中国脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective Tocomparetheefficacybetweenstentingandmedicationinpatientswith vertebralarteryoriginstenosis.Methods Theclinicaldataof82patientswithmoderatetoseverevertebral artery origin stenosis (stenosis rate >50%)from January 2011 to January 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into either a stent+medication group (n=40)or a medication group (n=42)according to the different treatment methods. The degree of vascular stenosis,restenosis rate,incidence of cerebral ischemic events,and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)of the patients for DSA reexamination at one year were documented,and comprehensive analysis were conducted. Results (1 )44 stents were implanted in 40 patients,1 of the patients still had residual stenosis of 60% because of the stenosis plaque was harder despite twice balloon dilations. No serious perioperative complications occurred. The success rate of the operation was 97. 5%. The vascular stenosis rate of vertebral artery origins in patients of the stent+medication group was improved significantly,and decreased from 73 ± 13% to median 11%(8%,50%)at one year after stenting. (2)After 1 year,11 patients (27. 5%)had in-stent restenosis in the stent +medication group,including 2 patients (5%)had stent fracture at the same time. Four patients (9. 5%)in the medication group had complete occlusion of vertebral artery,but only 2 had corresponding clinical symptoms. (3)There was no significant difference in the NIHSS scores after the treatment between the stent+medication group and the medication group (Z=1. 678,P=0. 093). The total ischemic events in patients of the stent+medication group was 7 (17. 5%),compared with the incidence of ischemic events in 16 patients (38. 1%)in the medication group,there was significant difference (χ2 =4. 306, P=0.038).Conclusion Stentingissafeandeffectiveforpatientswithvertebralarteryoriginstenosis.It may significantly improve vertebral stenosis,and it is better than medication alone for preventing the occurrence alone of the posterior circulation ischemic events,however,the high in-stent restenosis rate for vertebral artery origin stenosis is still an important problem to be solved.