Clinical Outcome of Carotid Artery Stenting - 18 cases report

Objective To investigate the safety and feasibility of carotid artery stenting (CAS) and evaluate its clinical outcomes. Methods From July 1998 to N 2002, 16 consecutive patients underwent extracranial CAS procedures. Neurologic assessment, Carotid duplex ultrasound, carotid and intracranial angiography were done before CAS in all patients. Carotid duplex ultrasound, cardiac and neurologic elevation were performed at 24hours, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months post procedure. Results 18 patients (17 male and 1 female) underwent a total of 18 CAS procedures. Self-expandable stents (12 Wallstent BSC and 7 Smart Cordis) were implanted in all cases. Direct stenting technique was applied in 7 cases. The last seven procedures were performed with distal filtration device (Angioguard XP, Cordis) supporting. All CAS procedures were technically successful. The particles were found in the filter baskets in all distal filtration device used cases, which were 300-1000 micron in diameter. One patient had contralateral cerebral hemorrhage during CAS and died three day later after CAS. There were not other operative and post-operative complications. There were not restenosis within long-term (16±6.5 months) follow-up study. Conclusions Carotid artery stenting is safe and feasible in preventing ischemic stroke, this new alternative has satisfied clinical outcomes in managing ischemic disease of cardiac and neurological as well.