Carotid Artery Stenting: Retrospective Evaluation of Experience of an Invasive Tertiary Center

• Main Authors: Faruk Ertaş, Mehmet Uğur Çevik, Mehmet Ufuk Aluçlu, Halit Acet, Hasan Hüseyin Özdemir, Oğuz Karahan, Nihat Polat, Gülsenem Aktaş
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dicle University Medical School 2016-03-01
• Series: Dicle Medical Journal
• Subjects: stroke; carotid artery stenosis; carotid artery stenting
• Online Access: http://www.diclemedj.org/upload/sayi/59/Dicle%20Med%20J-02942.pdf
• ISSN: 1300-2945; 1308-9889

Objective: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is being applied more frequently as an alternative mode of treatment to carotid endarterectomy. We aimed to present the short-term clinical outcomes of the patients admitted to our clinic with a diagnosis of carotid artery disease and revas­cularized by CAS. Methods: The study was retrospective and a single-centered study. Between June 2013-January 2016 the patients with an indication for carotid artery intervention and accepted CAS procedure were included in the study. Clinical characteristics and procedural data of the patients were obtained by scanning patient files. After discharge, hospital records were scanned and patients were called to learn whether or not patients were alive and that they have suffered a recent stroke. Results: We included 82 patients that meet the inclusion criteria in the study. 59% of patients were male with a mean age of 68±9 years. 56% of patients were symp­tomatic. In all patients, stents were used. 85% of patients distal embolic protection devices and 15% MOMA were used. 64 right, 18 left, and two bilateral carotid arteries were stented with a total of 82 patient of 84 successful CAS. Due to residual stenosis a second stent was im­planted only in one patient. One patient experienced a partial muscle weakening in upper extremity due to an air embolism and 2 patients received opac material which recovered spontaneously in 24 hours. Conclusion: CAS is being successfully applied with a very low risk of complications in experienced centers. Short-term clinical results of CAS are quite satisfactory.