Minimally Invasive Procedures

Intracranial angioplasty and stenting

In some cases, stroke symptoms may be due to narrowing of the small arteries of the brain. This is reported to be the cause of stroke in up to 20% of patients. Thanks to technological advancements, specially designed balloons and stents are now FDA approved and available to treat these narrowed brain arteries, just like cardiologists have been doing in the heart for many years.

In January 2006, a Los Angeles Brain and Spine Institute physician was the first in California to use these FDA approved brain balloons and stents to prevent stroke. To be eligible for the procedure, a patient must have had either a non-disabling stroke or mini-stroke caused by significant narrowing of the brain arteries. The narrowed brain arteries must be of a size sufficient enough to accommodate these new stents and balloons, at least 2.5 mm in size.

A non-disabling stroke or mini stroke is a sign that there is a high likelihood that narrowing of the brain arteries may cause a larger stroke in the near future. Therefore, the angioplasty and stenting procedure should be performed soon, before a larger stroke occurs. Prior to the procedure patients are placed on special medications prevent platelets, a specialized blood cell, from plugging the arrowed brain artery. Risk factors that can predispose one to a stroke, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking are also treated, often with medications as well as counseling. For the most part, these medications are continued after the procedure. Angioplasty and stenting is carried out under general anesthesia. The patient will remain in the hospital for one to several days.