Drug Eluting Stenting and Short Dual Antiplatelet Therapy for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Vertebral Stenosis Registry Study

As the drug-eluting stents (DES) with indications for vertebral artery treatment have been officially approved in China, DES has gradually been widely used in the treatment of vertebral artery stenosis. There is increasing clinical attention towards the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following stenting.

Currently, there is limited evidence regarding the optimal DAPT duration following endovascular treatment for vertebral artery stenosis. Therefore, clinical practice typically relies on experiences derived from treatments for coronary, carotid, or lower limb artery diseases, with a conventional recommendation of 6 to 12 months of antiplatelet therapy post-stent implantation.

Evidence obtained from coronary stents shows that the short-term DAPT strategy of 1-3 months after PCI in the new generation of DES can significantly reduce the incidence of severe bleeding without increasing ischemic events compared with the standard DAPT strategy of 7-12 months, especially for non-acute elective surgery patients who are similar to those with vertebral artery stenosis stents.

This study employs new-generation Co-Cr fluoropolymer DES to evaluate the balance between ischemic and bleeding complications by shortening the DAPT duration, with the ultimate aim of maximizing patient benefits.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥18 years old, gender unlimited;
• Based on clinical and imaging evidence, the investigators identified patients with symptomatic vertebral atherosclerotic stenosis who met the indications for the placement of drug-eluting vertebral artery stents;
• Patients or their guardians sign informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Severe coagulation dysfunction, serious uncontrolled infection, serious systemic disease, uncontrolled hypertension, etc., are not suitable for surgery;
• Patients with aneurysms that cannot be treated in advance or at the same time or are not suitable for surgery;
• Myocardial infarction or large-scale cerebral infarction occurred within 2 weeks;
• Combined with atrial fibrillation, or accompanied by serious heart, liver, kidney and lung diseases;
• Interventional or surgical procedures are planned within 90 days;
• Known contraindications to heparin, rapamycin, anesthesia and contrast agents;
• Life expectancy is less than 12 months;
• The researcher considers it inappropriate to participate in this study.