Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) of the anterior circulation. 2. History of an ischemic cerebrovascular event related to the target artery within the past 12 months, including ischemic stroke involving less than one-half of the middle cerebral artery territory or transient ischemic attack. 3. Age between 18 and 80 years. 4. Stenosis severity of 50% to 99% identified by transcranial Doppler ultrasound, CT angiography, or MR angiography, and confirmed as 50% to 99% stenosis on digital subtraction angiography. 5. Good compliance, willingness to sign written informed consent, and ability to complete follow-up. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Non-atherosclerotic intracranial stenosis such as moyamoya disease, vasculitis, or arterial dissection. 2. Coexisting ipsilateral arterial stenosis greater than 50% other than the target lesion. 3. Large territorial infarction on MRI DWI involving at least one-half of the MCA territory with a modified Rankin Scale score greater than 3. 4. Contraindications to the use of antiplatelet agents or statins. 5. Inability to undergo DSA because of severe iodinated contrast allergy, severe hyperthyroidism, severe coagulation abnormalities with high bleeding risk, or severe cardiac, hepatic, or renal insufficiency. 6. Pregnant or breastfeeding women.