Follow-up Results of Stent Placement for Extracranial Carotid Artery Stenosis

Abstract

Background and Objectives Carotid artery stenting has evolved as a potential alternative to carotid endarterectomy in patients pts with significant carotid artery stenosis. We evaluated the feasibility and long-term outcome of carotid artery stenting in selected pts at high surgical risk. Materials and Methods Between May, 1996 and September 1998 we performed carotid artery stenting at 35 lesions in 25 pts. There were 23 males and 2 females. Mean age was 63.2 6.6 range 54 77 . Eight four percent 21/25 of the pts had significant coronary artery disease. Sixty four percent 16/25 of the pts had significant peripheral artery lesions. Sixty percent 15/25 of the pts had neurologic symptoms or non-disabling stroke. We used Wallstent in 32 lesions and Palmaz stent in 3 lesions. Carotid stenting was undertaken in 33 internal carotid, 1 common carotid and 1 external carotid lesions. Bilateral carotid stenting was undertaken in forty percent 10/25 of the pts. Results Carotid stenting was successful in all lesions. One patient died due to massive cerebral hemorrhage 3 days after carotid stenting, who had und-erwent stenting as a rescue procedure for failed endarterectomy. One major stroke developed during procedure with partial recovery. For the combined endpoint of strokes and death within 30 days of procedure, the incidence was 8 and 5.7 in terms of pts and procedures, respectively. On follow-up 12 7 months , we found neither neurologic complications nor death. Angiographic and/or duplex sonography which were performed at 5.5 month in all 18 eligible pts with 24 lesions revealed no evidence of stent deformity or restenosis 50 of diameter stenosis . Mean angiographic stenosis was 20 on follow-up angiography. Conclusion Carotid artery stenting can be performed with high success and low complication rate in pts with significant carotid artery stenosis especially at high surgical risk. Follow-up clinical outcome of average 12 month was good with low restenosis rate.