[Carotid angioplasty and stenting in patients with high-risk carotid stenosis].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and complication of carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) in patients with high-risk carotid stenosis.

METHODS

Eight cases with high-risk carotid stenosis underwent CAS with cerebral protective devices from March 2003 to April 2006, the efficacy and complications of CAS were reviewed.

RESULT: Nine stenotic carotid arteries of 8 cases were treated with CAS. Stenotic rate was significantly reduced from 75.4 % to 28.8% (P<0.001, paired t-Test) immediately after CAS. All stents used were self-expanding and most of them (77.8%) were precise nitinol stents. Five patients had mild and reversible low heart rate and blood pressure. During follow-up for 4-41 months (21.5+/-14.2), no case had stroke again, all except one had no dizziness or vertigo again. Ultrasonography and/or computed tomographic angiography showed no re-stenosis in six cases (75%) when they were followed up.

CONCLUSION

CAS with cerebral protection device is a safe and feasible procedure to treat high-risk carotid stenosis. However,its long-term efficacy and safety need to be further studied.