Endovascular management of intracranial atherosclerosis

Abstract

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) represents one of the most common causes of ischemic stroke worldwide, yet our understanding remains limited regarding the best treatment options for this complex disease with a high recurrence rate of stroke. Although medical therapy has proved to be effective in lowering the risk of stroke, certain high-risk ICAD patients may derive benefit from endovascular therapy. This review presents the current treatment options for the endovascular management of ICAD and highlights the recent relevant literature.

Keywords: Angioplasty; Endovascular; Intracranial atherosclerotic disease; Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting; Stenosis; Stenting; Stroke.