Results and problems in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for internal carotid artery stenosis

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is currently performed as a therapeutic strategy for the management of the cervical carotid artery stenosis. In our clinic, PTA was performed successfully in all 24 patients initially. Restenosis was observed in 4 of 24 patients who received 3 to 6 month follow-up angiography. Repeated PTA was performed in 4 patients, 3 of whom were successfully treated, while severe wall dissection occurred in 1 patient. Furthermore, asymptomatic rerestenosis was noted in 1 of 4 patients who received repeated PTA. Dissection was noted in 5 of 28 procedures, which occurred more often in the patients with calcified or restenotic lesions. These results suggest that stenting or emergent surgery should be prepared in PTA of the carotid artery stenosis to avoid major complications, especially when the patients have calcified or restenotic lesions.