Annals of neurology
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Annals of neurology · Jun 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialCollaterals dramatically alter stroke risk in intracranial atherosclerosis.
Stroke risk due to intracranial atherosclerosis increases with degree of arterial stenosis. We evaluated the previously unexplored role of collaterals in modifying stroke risk in intracranial atherosclerosis and impact on subsequent stroke characteristics. ⋯ Collateral circulation is a potent determinant of stroke risk in intracranial atherosclerosis, demonstrating a protective role with severe stenoses and identifying more unstable milder stenoses.