[Carotid artery stenting with different cerebral protection systems]

Carotid angioplasty with stent implantation (CAS) has become an alternative for carotid endarterectomy in treatment of carotid arteries atherosclerosis due to low procedural injury and comparable procedural risk. Wide application of cerebral protection devices decreased the procedural risk. The aim of the study was to estimate the procedural safety of CAS procedures with application of different cerebral protection systems. CAS procedures were performed in 48 patients. One procedure was unsuccessful, in this patient stroke occurred. Distal occlusion balloon system was used in 5 patients, proximal occlusion balloons for common carotid artery was used in 21 pts and filter systems in 22 pts. During 6-months follow-up, we observed no death nor stroke (40 pts). In one patient we revealed TIA. Moreover we found restenosis in one patient 6 months after CAS (total occlusion). In our experience CAS procedures were safe and incidence of major cerebro-vascular complications comparable to other centers.