Can you stent the basilar artery?

Conclusions: Elective stenting of the basilar artery is feasible, with minimal risk to the patient. Its impact on long-term stroke prevention and its durability are unknown and will require further study.

What is basilar artery dissection?

Basilar artery dissections (BADs) are rare lesions and little is known about its natural history. The clinical presentations of BADs are subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), brain ischemia, and brainstem compression. Ruptured BADs presenting with SAH seemed to have higher mortality rate than unruptured ones.

How do you treat an artery dissection?

Treatment. Treatment is usually with blood thinners such as warfarin or low molecular weight heparin for 3 to 6 months followed by aspirin therapy.

How long does vertebral artery dissection take to heal?

Warfarin is typically continued for 3–6 months, as during this time the flow through the artery usually improves, and most strokes happen within the first 6 months after the development of the dissection. Some regard 3 months as sufficient.

How serious is artery dissection?

Arterial dissections happen when the inside wall of your artery tears. Blood gets in the tear and separates the layers of the artery wall. This dissection creates a weak spot that can lead to a life-threatening leak.

How long does it take for a dissected artery to heal?

Healing usually takes 3-6 months, and the incidence of contralateral dissection is higher in these patients than in the general population. When the condition is diagnosed early, the prognosis is usually good. A high index of suspicion is required to make this difficult diagnosis.

What 2 arteries give rise to the basilar artery?

The basilar artery is a midline structure formed from the confluence of the vertebral arteries. Terminally, the basilar artery branches to establish the right and left posterior cerebral arteries.

Is the basilar artery an anastomosis?

There are several primary subtypes of PTA based upon the site of communication with the basilar artery. With the type 1 variant, the anastomosis is located between the anterior inferior cerebellar artery and the superior cerebellar artery (SCA).