Transcutaneous endovascular placement of self-expandable stent in the treatment of carotid artery stenosis: report of nine cases

Objective To introduce the procedure of carotid stenting, and to investigate the effectiveness, safety, and practicability of carotid stenting for carotid artery stenosis. Methods From January, 2004 to June, 2005, 9 patients (3 women and 6 men; mean age, 65.4 years; age range, 45~75 years) with symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis (≥70% according to the NASCET), underwent 11 extracranial carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) procedures with the self-expanding stents. Cerebral protection device was furnished for all patients. Antiplatelet therapy and cerebral angiography as well as cervical Doppler sonography were performed perioperatively, followed by clinical follow-up of 5.5 months (1~12). Results Extracranial CAS was successful in all patients, with average residual stenosis of less than 20%. There were no deaths. Asymptomatic cerebral infarction was found in 1 case, hypotension and bradycardia in 2 cases that required continuous intravenous medication and inotropic support for 24 h. Conclusion Carotid stenting is considered to be a feasible and safe procedure for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis.