Current Forms of Management for Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis and Acute Stroke

Authors

Anthony J. Doane, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Interventional Neuroradiology

Advisor

Eric Schmidt, PhD

Abstract

Intracranial atherosclerosis serves as the leading cause of ischemic stroke worldwide. Several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors contribute to associated risk – these include but are not limited to age, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. As a pathophysiologic process, intracranial atherosclerosis is generally progressive, and patients are more likely to become symptomatic as the disease course advances. Physical exam and recognition of various stroke-syndromes is paramount in localization of potential lesions. Diagnostics may include cerebral angiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography. Mainstays of therapy include antiplatelet, thrombolytic, and antithrombotic agents, however, less widely described are the various forms of image-guided reperfusion therapies. These image-guided therapies include but are not limited to balloon angioplasty, stenting and mechanical thrombectomy with or without aspiration and/or stent-retrieval.

Recommended Citation

Doane AJ. Current Forms of Management for Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis and Acute Stroke. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2022; 4(3).