Vertebral artery hypoplasia and posterior circulation ischemic stroke

Vertebral artery hypoplasia is a frequent variation type of vertebral arteries.At present,there is no unified theory about the relationship between vertebral artery hypoplasia and posterior circulation ischemic stroke.The available evidence suggests that vertebral artery hypoplasia may be a precipitating factor for posterior circulation ischemic stroke; particularly other vascular risk factors coexist.This article elaborates the epidemiology of vertebral artery hypoplasia,the clinical manifestation and imaging features of vertebral artery hypoplasia in patients with posterior circulation ischemic stroke,and the possible mechanism of vertebral artery hypoplasia caused posterior circulation ischemic stroke. Key words: Stroke;  Brain Ischemia;  Vertebral Artery;  Cerebrovascular Circulation