Carotid Stent-Assisted Angioplasty: Preliminary Technique, Angiography, and Intravascular Ultrasound Observations

Currently, surgical carotid endarterectomy has been the standard therapy for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with significant carotid artery stenoses. However, there are high surgical risk and other patient subsets, wherein a Òlesser invasiveÓ catheter-based procedure may be worthwhile. Carotid stent-assisted angioplasty (CSSA) is a percutaneous interventional treatment approach for appropriately selected patients with common and internal carotid artery lesions. The present report discusses preliminary technique-related, angiographic, and intravascular ultrasound observations of CSSA. Five symptomatic patients (with six carotid stenoses) with other co-morbid states were treated by a multidisciplinary team under the aegis of an approved protocol using conventional equipment and available Palmaz tubular slotted stents. On-line quantitative angiography and intravascular ultrasound imaging was performed to guide stent insertion and monitor results. There were no procedure-related complications and angiographic results were excellent (final mean diameter stenosis 5%). Intravascular ultrasound imaging was feasible and safe. In two cases, the findings obtained from ultrasound images assisted in subsequent operator decisions. Thus far, there have been no additional clinical sequelae in these patients (@ 30 days). This preliminary experience with CSSA indicates that interventional neurovascular therapies may provide a useful alternative for selected patients requiring endoluminal reconstruction of carotid stenoses. Extensive additional studies are required to establish the appropriate clinical application of this technique.