[Peri-interventional drug therapy in PTA of supra-aortic blood vessels]

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in conjunction with stent implantation (PTAS) is the treatment of choice in several indications. Despite its frequent use in supraaortic arterial disease and the scientific effort to establish PTAS of the internal carotid artery there is relatively little data in the literature to provide an evidence-based ground for periinterventional medical therapy. This article reviews the current periprocedural protocols and gives an overview of the hemodynamic management as necessary in carotid PTAS. Furthermore, problems of antithrombotic therapy with heparin and platelet inhibitors are discussed and a short introduction into medical cerebroprotection and thrombolytic therapy in ischemic cerebrovascular events is given.