Preliminary application of drug-coated balloon in patients with symptomatic intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis

Abstract

Objective: To explore the safety and short-term efficacy of drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for patients with symptomatic intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis. Methods: Sixteen patients with symptomatic intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis who received DCB angioplasty from September 2018 to December 2019 at Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. There were 15 males and 1 female, aged (63.1±9.2) years (range: 48 to 77 years). Patients' demographics, lesions characteristics, complications, clinical and imaging follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 19 symptomatic intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis were successfully treated with DCB.The degree of stenosis of lesion was 75% (20%) (M(Q(R))) before operation and 0 (20%) after operation. One posterior circulation stroke due to perforator artery occlusion happened in peri-procedural period.With a mean imaging follow-up time of 5.5 months, there was no restenosis occurred. Within a mean clinical follow-up period of 6.3 months, no new symptoms happened. Conclusion: For patients with symptomatic intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis, DCB angioplasty seems relatively high safety with satisfactory short-term clinical and imaging outcomes.