Complications following carotid angioplasty and carotid stenting in patients with symptomatic carotid artery disease

Background: We review a single centre's experience of the endovascular treatment of carotid artery disease, present the 30-day and 1-year complication rates and assess whether changes in technique are associated with a change in clinical outcome. Methods: Patients who underwent carotid angioplasty with or without stenting for symptomatic 670% carotid artery stenosis secondary to atherosclerosis were included. 333 procedures were performed, i.e. angioplasty alone ( 86), stent without cerebral protection ( 150) and stent with cerebral protection ( 97). Results: At 30 days, the total major disabling stroke and all death rate was 3.0%. For angioplasty alone, this was 2.3%, for stent without cerebral protection 4.0% and for stent with cerebral protection 2.1%. If non-stroke-related deaths were excluded, it was 2.3, 3.3 and 0%, respectively. After 30 days, the 1-year ipsilateral stroke rate was 0.8%. Conclusions: Carotid artery stenting, in particular with a cerebral protection device, is a safe alternative to carotid endarterectomy for the treatment of symptomatic high-grade carotid artery disease. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.