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Updated: Dec 17, 2025
A Murine Model of Stent Implantation in the Carotid Artery for the Study of Restenosis
Published on: May 14, 2013
Carotid Free-Floating Thrombus in a Stent 6 Months After Carotid Artery Stenting
Akira Sugie1, Makoto Yamada2, Kunio Yokoyama2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Ijinkai Takeda General Hospital, Kyoto, Japan; Emergency Medical Center, Ijinkai Takeda General Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.
Background:
Carotid free-floating thrombus (CFFT) is defined as a blood clot attached to the arterial wall with surrounding blood flow at its distal component. Although rare, it is a clinically significant cause of embolic stroke. CFFT within a stent has not been previously reported.
Case Description:
We report a 64-year-old man who underwent carotid artery stenting for asymptomatic right carotid artery stenosis. Six months after carotid artery stenting, he was admitted to the emergency department 1 hour after onset of left hemiparesis and dysarthria. His National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 10. His medical history was notable for hypertension, chronic renal insufficiency, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Carotid ultrasonography showed a dumbbell-shaped CFFT attached to the carotid stent that was moving in synchrony with his heartbeat. CFFT removal was performed via an endovascular approach with manual suction using a Luer Lock syringe. The CFFT was completely removed without residual stenosis. Histologic examination suggested plaque rupture associated with a lipid-rich necrotic core.
Conclusions:
Carotid plaque formation and plaque rupture can occur within a carotid stent and present as a CFFT.
