In 2005, the FDA approved the use of a self-expanding stent made of a nickel and titanium alloy, nitinol, known as the Wingspan stent (Boston Scientific) for patients with at least 50% intracranial stenosis despite antithrombotic medical therapy.
Initial periprocedural results using the Wingspan stent were reported by Fiorella et al 1).
Exerts high radial force than stents used for aneurysm coiling.
Major technical limitations in that study were difficulties in delivering the device and a few cases in which the Enterprise vascular reconstruction device (stent) was used as a bailout procedure 2).