Matrix metalloproteinase 9 level as an indicator for restenosis following cervical and intracranial angioplasty and stenting

Cervical and intracranial angioplasty and stenting is an effective and safe method of reducing the risk of ischemic stroke, but it may be affected by in-stent restenosis. The present study in-vestigated serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 as a predictor of restenosis after 40 patients underwent cervical and/or intracranial angioplasty and stenting. Results showed that resteno-sis occurred in 30% （3/10） of patients when the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 at 3 days after surgery was 2.5 times higher than preoperative level. No restenosis occurred when the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 at 3 days after surgery was not 2.5 times higher than preoperative level. Restenosis occurred in 12% （2/17） of patients when the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 was higher than preoperative level for more than 30 days after surgery, but only occurred in 4% （1/23） of patients when the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 was higher than preoperative level for less than 30 days after surgery. However, the differences observed were not statistically signiifcant （P 〉 0.05）. Experimental ifndings indicate that when the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 is 2.5 times higher than preoperative level at 3 days after cervi-cal and intracranial angioplasty and stenting, it may serve as a predictor of in-stent restenosis.

Stenting of Intracranial Artery Stenosis:Complications and Management

Background and Purpose Symptomatic intracranial artery stenosis is a high-risk factor of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Angioplasty with stent has been introduced to treat patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke attributed to intracranial stenosis since 1996. However, procedure-related neurological complications, either ischemic or hemorrhagic, could result in stroke and death, and benefits of stenting might be offset by higher disable stroke and death. So, the neurovascular angioplasty team should make great efforts to control procedural complications below an acceptable level, such as 10%, because it is impossible to avoid complication absolutely. The team should also be able to recognize, analyze and manage various procedure-related complications, to reduce the risk of disable stroke and death. The purposes of this article were to report our experiences of 20 complications, which occurred during the period of periprocedure.Methods Between September 5, 2001 and August 12, 2004, a total of 155 patients with 170 symptomatic intracranial stenoses of ≥ 50% received intracranial stenting. The management strategies for complication were as follow: ① intra-thrombus urokinase thrombolysis through micro-catheter for acute or subacute occlusion. ② another stenting for dissection. ③ antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy for penetrator events. ④ continuing nimodipine intravenously for vasospasm. ⑤ to control blood pressure below 110 / 70 mm Hg, to neutralize heparin with protamine sulfate and to discontinue antithrombotic agents, etc, for intracranial hemorrhage. Disable stroke was defined as one that led to a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of ≥2, 30 days after stroke. Results Procedure -related neurological complications occurred in 20 patients (12.9%, 20/ 155) and 20 lesions (11.7%, 20/ 170), including 6 intracranial hemorrhage (symptomatic, n=4; asymptomatic, n=2), 13 ischemic cerebral events (stroke, n=12; transient ischemic attacks, n=1) and 1 asymptomatic dissection. The probable causes, managements and outcomes of 20 complications are shown in table. Finally, by the means of aggressive endovascular and medical therapies, disable stroke and death within 30 days was 3.2% (5/155) and 1.3% (2/155), respectively. Conclusions Higher risk of procedure-related neurological complications may occur in stenting of intracranial stenosis. To reduce the possibility of disable stroke and death within 30 days, it is mandatory to develop strict procedural and periprocedural management strategies.

Vascular morphological change due to endovascular stent placement for intracranial aneurysm

Objective The purpose of this study was to quantify the vascular angle change due to intracranial stent placement and its effect on hemodynamics. Methods Fifteen patients with a wide-necked anterior communicating artery aneurysm were treated with stent-assisted coiling. Centerlines of the parent vessels were calculated and determined the exact change in

Advances in research of intracranial vascular stent

In recent years, China's population has shown an obvious aging trend. This trend has been accompanied by an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and death.Intracranial stenting has become an important treatment modality for intracranial vascular disease because it is effective, safe, and widely approved. In this paper,we review the literature concerning the classification, structure, preparation, and performance of intracranial stents. We also summarize problems and future prospects in the context of intracranial stents. This paper will serve as a reference for the future research and development of intracranial stents.

Safety and efficacy of stent placement for treatment of intracranial aneurysms： a systematic review

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stent placement for the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. Data sources We searched six databases, including Pubmed, Embase, SCI-expanded, the Cochrane Library, ISI Proceedings and ProQuest Dissertations ＆ Theses for the relevant studies using multiple key words from December, 1997 to February, 2009. Study selection Thirty-three studies about stent placement for intracranial aneurysms were identified, which reported data from a total of 1069 patients with 1121 intracranial aneurysms. Data extraction We prepared a standardized data extraction form （DEF）, which was used by two independent researchers to extract data from the included 33 studies. Results The overall initial complete occlusion rate was 52.5% （456/869, 95% CI： 49.2%-55.8%）. The overall complication rate was 14.3% （162/1130, 95% CI： 12.3%-16.4%）, of which 3.6% （38/1044, 95% CI： 2.5%-4.8%） were permanent. Clinical follow-up showed a dependence rate of 8.4% （39/465, 95% CI： 5.9%-10.9%）. Angiographic follow-up showed an improvement rate of 24.3% （117/481, 95% CI： 20.5%-28.2%） and a recurrence rate of 12.9% （62/481, 95% CI： 9.9%-15.9%）. Chi-squared tests were performed to compare the following subgroups： self-expandable vs. balloon-expandable stents, unruptured vs. acutely ruptured aneurysms, and with vs. without pre-medication. Statistical significance was reached in eight tests. Conclusions Intracranial stent is a safe and effective tool for embolizing complex intracranial aneurysms. Self-expandable stents are significantly easier and safer than balloon-expandable stents with respect to navigation and deployment through the tortuous cerebral vasculature. Patients with acutely ruptured aneurysms are more likely to be dependent, but not more likelv to suffer more orocedure-related comolications.

Combined stent and coil in endovascular treatment of intracranial wide-necked and fusiform aneurysms

Background Wide-necked and fusiform aneurysms are challenges for interventional neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons since they may involve entire vessels or be irregular in shape,making is possible for Guglielmi detachable coil to protrude into the parent arteries. This study was to evaluate the endovascular treatment of intracranial wide-necked and fusiform aneurysms by using a combination of stents and coils. Methods From October 2000 to July 2001,eighteen patients with intracranial wide-necked or fusiform aneurysms were treated with intraluminal stenting in combination with endosaccular coiling. Results Stent placement and coil packing were technically successful in all patients. There were no complications related to the procedure except for the migration of the stent in four cases. The aneurysms were embolized with the coils after precise stenting,and total occlusion was obtained in 13 cases,neck remnants in 3,and loose occlusion in 2. All the patients recovered well. Short-term follow-up angiograms suggested patency of the parent arteries without recanalization. Conclusions A combination of endovascular stenting and coil packing may be a favorable alternative for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms that are unsuitable for surgical clipping or coil embolization. Further study is necessary to assess the long-term outcome.