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Updated: Jul 23, 2026

Vascular Balloon Injury and Intraluminal Administration in Rat Carotid Artery
Published on: December 23, 2014
Carotid stenting with distal-balloon protection via the transbrachial approach
N Al-Mubarak1, J J Vitek, S S Iyer
1The Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Purpose:
To document the feasibility of brachial artery access for carotid stenting with distal-balloon protection of the internal carotid artery (ICA).
Technique:
Via percutaneous access to the brachial artery, a large double-curve catheter is advanced into the aortic arch over a hydrophilic guidewire to cannulate the left common carotid artery. Following sheath exchange, a GuardWire distal-protection balloon is positioned within the left ICA distal to the stenosis. The lesion is dilated, followed by deployment and dilation of a self-expanding stent. Transcranial Doppler monitoring shows only scarce microembolic signals during the procedure.
Conclusions:
Carotid stenting with distal balloon protection via the brachial artery appears feasible as an alternative to standard femoral access.

