[Complications within 30 days following placement of a carotid stent with cerebral protection in patients with considerable symptomatic carotid stenosis; Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, 1999-2004].

OBJECTIVE

To describe the complications that occur within 30 days following the placement of a stent in the carotid artery in patients with considerable symptomatic carotid stenosis.

DESIGN

Retrospective.

METHOD: Data were collected on 98 patients who received a carotid stent due to symptomatic carotid stenosis of > or = 70% of the lumen at the Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in the years 1999-2004. A filter, distal occlusion balloon or the Parodi anti-embolism system was used to prevent cerebral embolism. Outcome measures were complications within 30 days following intervention.

RESULTS

Four patients were excluded in the period between diagnosis and stenting. Major complications occurred in 3 patients: 1 died due to cerebral haemorrhage and 2 experienced cerebral infarction. Transient neurological complications occurred in 4 patients who recovered completely. Dissection of the renal artery occurred in 1 patient, which necessitated a stent. Vascular damage of the internal carotid artery was not observed in any patient. The 3 major adverse events and 3 of the 4 minor adverse events occurred in the first 47 patients treated. None of the last 47 patients treated developed major adverse events.