Abstract: Objective：To assess the safety and effectiveness of middle cerebral artery angioplasty in treatment of subcortical watershed infarcts (S-CWI) with moderate or severe disabilities. Methods：From June 2011 to May 2012, 5 S-CWI patients (six lesions) with moderate or severe disabilities combining severe stenosis in Ipsilateral middle cerebral artery received middle cerebral artery angioplasty in Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery Department, Peking University Third Hospital. We observed the neurological score before and after angioplasty and assessed the improvement of neurological functions. Results：The National Institute of Health stroke scale（NIHSS） scores were decreased by 4-6 points and modified Rankin scale（mRs） scores were decreased 1 point in 7 days. In the 3 months’ follow-up, 4 patients’ mRs scores were 1 point, and 1 patient’s was 2 points. In the 1-year follow-up, there were no new strokes and in-stent restenosis events. Conclusion： Middle cerebral artery angioplasty in treatment of SCWI with moderate or severe disabilities is beneficial.

Key words: Middle cerebral artery, Angioplasty, Brain infarction, Stents, Disabled persons