Failed carotid artery stenting followed by successful surgical intervention: Case report

A 56-year-old female patient with significant carotid stenoses with circumferential plaques, causing localized vascular narrowing, was inappropriately indicated for carotid artery stenting. After placement of a distal embolic protection device in the left internal carotid artery, a stent was inserted; however, it could not be fully deployed due to the rigid, severely calcified vascular walls. The various endovascular attempts to recapture the protection device were futile and, eventually, led to fracture of the guidewire of the device and it remained entrapped together with the stent. Emergency carotid arteriotomy with extirpation of the stent and embolic protection device via carotid thromboendarterectomy was performed. In conclusion, the proper patient selection for carotid artery stenting is of utmost importance.