Complicated stent supported cerebrovascular angioplasty: Case analyses and review of literature

BACKGROUND Hemodynamic lesions of the cervicocerebral vasculature are currently being treated with stent supported percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. These procedures have met with increasing success when compared to the risks and morbidity of more invasive surgical approaches. The versatility of stent-supported angioplasty as a primary therapeutic modality is examined in the following complex cases. CASE DESCRIPTION We present four cases involving cervical angioplasty with emergent or adjunctive stent placement. Two cases involved the subclavian arteries, whereas the others involved the vertebral and internal carotid arteries. In our experience, complications of cervicocerebral artery angioplasty have been successfully managed by stent placement. CONCLUSION Our cases demonstrate the emerging role of cervical angioplasty and stent implantation as a successful therapeutic modality, highlighted in these complex cases. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc.