Synchronous carotid endarterectomy and retrograde endovascular treatment of brachiocephalic or common carotid artery stenosis.

OBJECTIVES

To retrospectively evaluate the safety and the long-term results of retrograde brachiocephalic and common carotid angioplasty and stenting (AS) performed for >70% stenosis synchronously with the carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

PATIENTS: Sixteen patients operated between April 1999 and March 2002.

RESULTS

14/16 procedures were successful. There was no neurological morbidity or mortality. Per-operative angiography showed the optimal stent positioning and patency of both proximal and distal arteries in all patients. In the follow-up, all patients showed patency of the treated vessels without restenosis and the absence of any cerebrovascular symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Intra-operative retrograde AS combined with CEA is an effective, safe and durable alternative to conventional surgery when a tandem significant proximal lesion is identified in a patient with an high grade carotid stenosis.