OBJECTIVE: To introduce advances of cerebrovascular stent at home and abroad, analyze causes for complications following stenting and explore the biocompatibility of cerebrovascular stent and host.METHODS: A computer-based online search of Medline database (1989/2009) and CNKI (1989/2009) was performed to select related articles. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, the collected articles were selected and evaluated. The treatment advances, complications, and stent biocompatibility were described and summarized to explore the current status, complication and biocompatibility of various cerebrovascular stents.RESULTS: The content of articles was summarized. Intracranial stent is commonly used in clinic. The diameter of vessels confines diameter of stent, so different diseases have different requirements for diameter of stents. The complications following stenting include retroperitoneal hematoma, carotid sinus, hypertransfusion syndrome, cerebral angio spasm and thrombosis. In various stents, polymer, eluting and drug stents have better biocompatibility compared with metal stent, and can effectively prevent restenosis.CONCLUSION: Cerebrovascutar stenting is one of the treatments for cerebrovascular diseases. During the treatment, sufficient operative preparation, appropriate stent and indication are important to avoid complications. Of various stents, polymer and drug stents have good biocompatibility, and the biocompatibility of other stents requires improvement.