To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Neuroform EZ stent implantation in the treatment of severe symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis(sICAS).

From June 2017 to June 2020, the clinical and imaging data of 23 patients with SICAS underwent Neuroform EZ stent implantation were analyzed retrospectively. The characteristics of lesions, the success rate of stent implantation, the change of postoperative stenosis degree, the occurrence of stroke or death events during perioperative period and follow-up period, and the in-stent restenosis were recorded and analyzed.

23 Neuroform EZ stents were implanted in 23 patients with a technical success rate of 100%. The postoperative stenosis rate decreased from 85.52 ± 8.89% to 19.97 ± 10.90% (P < 0.05). Ischemic complications occurred in 1 case (4.35%) during perioperative period, showing perforator stroke. No bleeding complications or death occurred. 17 cases (73.91%) were followed up by DSA for 3-24 months (average 7.00 months), and 2 cases (11.76%) had restenosis during the follow-up period, all of which were asymptomatic stenosis. All 23 patients were followed up clinically (100%) for 1-31 months (average 10.48 months). At the last follow-up, the average mRS score decreased from 1(1,2) before operation to 1(0,1) with significantly difference (P < 0.05). During the follow-up period, 2 patients (8.70%) had new small-area cerebral infarction, one of which was an asymptomatic cerebral infarction, none of which was the vascular lesion in the original operation area.

Neuroform EZ stent has high technical success rate, low operation difficulty, relatively treatment safety and good short-term effect in the treatment of severe sICAS. However, it is necessary to increase the sample size and prolong the follow-up time to further verify the above conclusions.