Intracranial Stents: Supporting Blood Flow and Preventing Stroke in Neurovascular Disorders
Intracranial stents are small mesh tubes placed inside the brain’s blood vessels to improve blood flow, reinforce weakened arteries, and prevent strokes. They are used in conditions such as aneurysms, arterial stenosis, and vascular malformations.
Stents work by supporting vessel walls and maintaining open pathways for proper cerebral circulation. For wide-neck aneurysms, stent-assisted coiling prevents coils from slipping while reconstructing vessel anatomy. In stenosis cases, stents restore luminal diameter, reducing stroke risk. Advances include self-expanding stents, flow-diversion devices, and materials designed for flexibility and biocompatibility.
These devices require precision placement using catheter-based minimally invasive procedures. Post-operative management involves antiplatelet therapy and regular imaging to ensure patency. Intracranial stents continue to evolve with improved designs that reduce clot risk, increase navigability, and support neurovascular intervention success.
FAQ
Q1: What are intracranial stents used for?A1: Treating aneurysms, arterial stenosis, and other cerebrovascular issues.
Q2: How are they implanted?A2: Through minimally invasive catheter-based techniques.
Q3: What are the benefits?A3: Reduced stroke risk, improved blood flow, and reinforced vessel walls.
