Application of the Neuroform Atlas Stent for Intracranial Stenting of Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study.

Background: Intracranial stenting with the Neuroform Atlas stent is an emerging treatment option for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. Nevertheless, the efficacy and safety of the Neuroform Atlas stent as an option for intracranial stenting remain debatable.

Methods: This study enrolled clinical data from 264 consecutive patients diagnosed with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis treated with intracranial stenting with the Neuroform Atlas stent between January 2020 and February 2023 to assess the efficacy and safety of the procedure. The stenosis rate of the target artery was assessed using digital subtraction angiography, and the outcome of patients was evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

Results: Among 264 patients, the mean stenosis rate of the target artery was 88.82% ± 6.35% before the procedure (T0), 47.99% ± 9.37% at the end of the procedure (T1), and 41.86% ± 7.30% at 6-month follow-up (T2). The stenosis rate was statistically significant between T0 and T1 (p = 0.00), between T0 and T2 (p = 0.00), and between T1 and T2 (p = 0.00). At 12 months postoperatively, 226 patients had a good outcome (mRS 0-2) without stroke recurrence attributed to the target artery, and 32 patients had a good outcome but with stroke recurrence. There were three cases of ischemic stroke and two cases of hemorrhagic stroke related to the stenting process. No intraprocedural deaths were reported.

Conclusion: Intracranial stenting with the Neuroform Atlas stent is a potentially safe and effective treatment for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. It demonstrates a statistically significant difference in the caliber of the target artery before and after treatment as well as significantly improves the cerebral ischemic symptoms of patients.