糖尿病合并颈动脉狭窄患者血管内支架置入术疗效评估

目的评估颈动脉支架(CAS)置入术在预防糖尿病(DM)合并颈动脉狭窄患者发生脑梗死及改善生活质量的远期效果。方法接受CAS置入治疗的DM合并颈动脉狭窄患者39例,定期随访1～6年。复查颈部血管彩超、头部MRI、头部CT及灌注成像,并对28例症状性颈动脉狭窄患者术前、术后第14天、3、6个月进行国立卫生研究院脑卒中评分(NIHSS)、Barthel指数(BI)、修订的Rankin量表(MRS)评分,并与影像学检查结果、发生缺血性脑血管事件进行比较。结果全部患者随访1～6年,平均33个月;3例(7.7%)脑梗死,其中2例脑梗死发生在支架置入同侧,另1例发生在对侧。28例症状性狭窄患者CAS治疗后14 d、3个月NIHSS、MRS评分均较术前显著降低(P<0.05),治疗后3、6个月BI评分均较术前显著增多(P<0.05)。单因素分析发现,年龄>75岁、高血压史、有两个以上脑血管病危险因素、术后未系统服用抗血小板药物、术前有多次脑梗死病史的患者术后易发生缺血性脑血管事件(P<0.05)。3例(7.7%)术后再狭窄。结论 DM合并颈动脉狭窄患者CAS治疗是安全的,能显著降低患者脑卒中发生风险及改善生活质量。CAS术后中远期再狭窄发生率较低。     

颈动脉术后再狭窄的支架置入疗效分析

目的评价颈动脉支架置入术(CAS)治疗颈动脉术后再狭窄病变的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析首都医科大学宣武医院神经外科支架置入治疗的颈动脉内膜切除术(CEA)或CAS后再狭窄的19例患者,均为男性,年龄为48~78岁,平均(61.5±8.6)岁。其中CAS后再狭窄9例,CEA后再狭窄10例,均经DSA确诊,并行CAS治疗再狭窄,术前及术后第2天均行颈动脉彩色多普勒血流显像检查,术后1、3、6、12个月门诊随访。结果对19例患者均成功置入支架,未出现并发症,残余狭窄率均20%。术后患者自觉神经缺损症状消失。术后各时间点随访均未发现心肌梗死、卒中及死亡事件。随访终点时患者均无临床症状,复查颈动脉彩色多普勒血流显像均未显示再狭窄。结论 CAS治疗颈动脉术后再狭窄可能是一种安全有效的方法。     

新疆地区缺血性脑卒中患者颅外段脑血管支架治疗长期随访分析

目的评价新疆地区颅外段脑动脉狭窄患者颈动脉血管支架置入术(CAS)和椎动脉起始端支架置入术(VAOS)治疗的安全性和有效性。方法颅外段颈动脉狭窄或椎动脉起始部狭窄患者323例,回顾性分析其CAS和VAOS术前和术后随访记录,分析支架置入成功率、围术期并发症,及随访期间支架置入后再狭窄率和临床终点事件的发生率。结果 CAS和VAOS组手术成功率为100%,围手术期并发症发生率分别为14.4%和1.2%,随访期间临床终点事件的发生率分别为15.1%和12.8%,再狭窄的发生率为8.8%和13.4%,Cox回归分析发现在CAS组中,男性和多支血管病变为发生再狭窄的危险因素(HR=19.249,P=0.02;HR=0.069,P=0.034);VAOS组中,对侧椎动脉狭窄为发生再狭窄的危险因素(HR=0.075,P=0.001)。结论 CAS和VAOS治疗颅外段动脉狭窄相对安全,但应重视术中及术后并发症的预防及处理。     

脑保护装置下高龄重度颈动脉狭窄患者颈动脉支架成形术的有效性和安全性评价

目的评价脑保护装置下高龄重度颈动脉狭窄患者颈动脉支架成形术(CAS)的有效性及安全性。方法选择2009年1月—2012年1月在青岛大学医学院附属医院行CAS的高龄重度颈动脉狭窄患者37例,术中均应用脑保护装置,观察患者狭窄改善情况、围术期并发症发生情况、回收脑保护装置内脱落栓子情况,随访1年观察患者缺血性脑血管事件发生情况。结果 36例患者脑保护伞均一次性顺利通过狭窄段放置到位成功释放;术后残余狭窄率均30%,平均狭窄程度从(83.0±6.7)%降至(13.0±6.1)%;回收的脑保护装置中有26个发现脱落的组织碎片;围术期均未出现脑出血、症状性脑梗死、支架内血栓形成等严重并发症;37例患者随访1年,无短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)、卒中、死亡发生。结论脑保护装置下对高龄重度颈动脉狭窄患者行CAS成功率和安全性较高。     

颈动脉支架成形术治疗老年重度颈内动脉狭窄患者的疗效观察

目的评价脑保护装置下老年重度颈动脉狭窄患者颈动脉支架成形术的有效性及安全性。方法选择年龄≥70岁的重度症状性颈动脉狭窄患者43例,均行颈动脉支架成形术,术中均应用脑保护装置,观察术后狭窄改善情况,围术期并发症的发生情况以及回收的脑保护装置内脱落栓子情况,对患者随访1年。结果在43例患者中,脑保护装置及颈动脉支架均放置到位,术后残余狭窄率均<30%,患者颈动脉平均狭窄程度从(82.8±6.5)%降低至(12.4±5.9)%,支架置入手术前后比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。回收的脑保护装置中,发现27个有脱落的组织碎片,患者术后缺血相关症状均有明显改善,围术期所有患者均未出现症状性脑卒中,无手术相关死亡事件发生,1年随访无缺血性脑血管事件发生,颈动脉超声复查未见支架内发生再狭窄。结论脑保护装置下,对老年重度颈内动脉狭窄患者行颈动脉支架成形术安全、有效。     

老年颈动脉支架成形术的随访分析

目的了解老年颈动脉狭窄病人经皮颈动脉成形术及支架植入术(carotidarterystenting,CAS)的有效性及安全性。方法行CAS,颅外段颈动脉狭窄老年患者39例:男28例,女11例;年龄55～81(64±10)岁。随访1年。术前及术后1年行颈动脉超声心动图检查。结果手术成功率为100%,发生微小脑梗死1例;高灌注综合征1例。围手术期及随访中未见死亡及卒中的事件发生,超声检查示狭窄程度明显改善(P<0.001),仅见50%的支架内再狭窄2例(4.9%)。结论老年颅外段颈动脉狭窄的病人CAS是一种简单、安全、可行的手术方式。     

不符合NASCET纳入标准的高危有症状颈动脉狭窄患者的颈动脉成形支架置入术治疗

目的 探讨支架置入术治疗不符合NASCET纳入标准的高危有症状颈动脉狭窄患者的有效性和安全性.方法 对20例不符合NASCET纳入标准的高危有症状颈动脉狭窄患者进行颈动脉支架置入术治疗,其中男性12例,女性8例,年龄62～76岁(平均69岁),短暂性脑缺血发作11例,脑梗死9例.所有患者数字减影血管造影显示颈动脉狭窄程度＞70%(NA-SCET标准),其中-侧颈动脉重度狭窄9例(2例为内膜切除术后再狭窄),双侧颈动脉重度狭窄6例,一侧颈动脉闭塞伴对侧重度狭窄5例(1例为鼻咽癌放疗术后).所有患者均使用栓子保护装置,均采用预扩张和自膨式支架.结果 手术成功率100%,残余狭窄率均＜30%.所有患者术中均出现不同程度的一过性心率和血压下降,1例患者并发微栓子栓塞.其余患者围手术期内无缺血性卒中发作.术后复查颈动脉超声见狭窄显著改善.术后1个月和3个月随访均未发现同侧缺血性卒中和冠状动脉缺血事件.结论 颈动脉支架置入术创伤小、围手术期并发症少,治疗外科手术高危的有症状颈动脉狭窄是安全和有效的.     

症状性颈内动脉起始段狭窄血管内自膨式支架治疗26例

目的探讨血管内自膨式支架技术治疗症状性颈内动脉起始段狭窄的临床效果。 方法对26例患者颈内动脉起始段狭窄的患者行全脑血管造影,依照北美有症状颈动脉内膜切除试验测量标准,判断颈动脉狭窄程度,对狭窄率>50％的患者置入自膨式支架,术中5例行球囊预扩张,3例应用保护装置。结果 26例支架置入均获成功,血管残余狭窄程度<30％。术后随访23例(10-22个月),1例发生再狭窄(狭窄率>55％)。结论 血管内支架成形术是治疗颈动脉狭窄的一种有效方法,至于术后存在的血栓形成、再狭窄等问题还有待于今后进一步研究。     

颈动脉狭窄合并冠心病的分期介入治疗及随访研究

目的探讨分期介入治疗颈动脉狭窄合并冠心病患者的疗效,并发症及随访效果。方法回顾性分析了57例经冠状动脉及脑血管造影或CT血管成像(CTA)证实的颈动脉狭窄合并冠心病患者的临床资料,所有患者均先行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI),术后1周左右再行颈动脉支架术(CAS),手术前后均进行水化以保护肾功能,观察手术前后患者的神经功能评分(mRS)、肾功能,术中术后并发症等,对患者进行长期随访,观察有无心肌梗死、脑梗死并复查造影观察支架内情况。结果 57例患者均成功行分期介入手术,技术成功率100%,术中显示血管通畅,狭窄解除满意,手术前后患者mRS评分无明显变化,两次介入前后估算的肾小球滤过率无明显变化,1例患者PCI术后3d出现原脑梗症状加重,紧急行CAS术,预后良好。虽有16例患者存在颈动脉窦反射,但所有患者术后均未出现心肌梗死、脑梗死,无死亡患者。随访期间无一例患者出现心肌梗死及支架侧脑梗死。结论对于颈动脉狭窄合并冠心病患者,分期先行PCI后行CAS是安全有效的治疗方式。     

支架置入术治疗颈动脉狭窄

目的 :总结血管内支架置入治疗颈动脉狭窄的安全性和疗效。方法 :收治颈动脉狭窄患者 16例 ,其中 3例进行狭窄预扩 ,3例使用脑保护装置 ,共放置自膨式支架 18枚。结果 :18枚支架均成功置入 ,术中无严重并发症 ,1例 (6 3% )术后第 3天发生非处理血管供血区脑梗死。随访 1～ 8个月 ,无新发短暂性脑缺血发作 (TIA)和脑梗死 ,末次改良Rankin量表评分平均 0 75 (0～ 2 )分 ,所有患者生活均自理。 10例患者术后 3个月颈动脉彩超复查 ,均未见再狭窄。结论 :支架置入治疗颈动脉狭窄是一种比较安全和可能有效的方法 ,但亟需设计随机对照临床试验观察其长期疗效和不良反应。     

经皮颈动脉支架置入术的临床应用及效果

目的评价经皮颈动脉支架置入术对预防缺血性脑卒中的临床效果。方法对30例患者(共32个严重颈动脉狭窄病变)行经皮颈动脉支架置入术,包括男性26例,女性4例,年龄>56岁,其中13例曾患有脑卒中或反复一过性脑缺血;部分患者有高血压、糖尿病及心肌梗死病史。均在术前行颈动脉超声检查及颈动脉及其颅内段血管造影,将支架置入并覆盖颈动脉病变,部分采用远端脑保护装置;在术后均做心脑血管专科及颈动脉超声检查随访。结果选择性颈动脉造影示32个靶病变均有>70%的狭窄,共置入自膨式支架32个,球囊扩张式支架1个,支架置入成功率为97%;使用远端滤网保护装置21例,使用成功率为95%,在回收的滤网中均发现脱落碎片;4例患者在颈动脉支架置入术后顺利完成外科冠状动脉搭桥术;2例患者在术中分别出现靶病变对侧颅内出血和术后急性肺水肿,3d后死亡。在临床随访观察期间,患者均无脑卒中发生,颈动脉超声检查未发现支架置入段再狭窄。结论经皮颈动脉支架置入术是预防缺血性脑卒中的安全有效方法,也是综合治疗缺血性心脑疾病的新方法。远端保护装置的应用是防止术中脑卒中并发症的必要措施。     

血管成形术治疗症状性颅内动脉粥样硬化性狭窄的临床疗效观察

目的探讨血管成形术治疗症状性颅内动脉粥样硬化性狭窄的临床疗效。方法纳入2010年9月—2013年6月南京卒中注册系统中经规范的内科治疗失败后,行血管成形术的症状性颅内动脉狭窄患者82例。其中9例行单纯球囊扩张术,73例行颅内支架置入术。发病至手术的中位时间为24.5 d。评估术后终点事件(术后≤30 d任何卒中、死亡及30 d责任血管供血区缺血性卒中或原狭窄处因再狭窄需要再次治疗)发生情况。影像学随访(CTA或DSA)再狭窄的发生率。结果 (1)82例中,手术成功率为92.7%(76例)。78例(95.1%)接受随访,失访4例。中位随访时间为22.5个月(四分位数:9,29个月)。10例发生终点事件,7例为缺血性卒中,1例为脑出血,2例为无症状重度再狭窄再次置入支架的患者。3例终点事件发生于术后≤30 d(均发生于术后≤24 h)。Kaplan-Meier曲线显示,1、6、12、24个月累积终点事件发生率分别为3.7%、8.6%、11.0%、13.0%。(2)60例(73.2%)患者接受影像学(11例行CTA,49例行DSA)检查,其中17例(28.3%)发生再狭窄,症状性再狭窄的发生率为5.0%(3例),无症状的为23.3%(14例)。结论经综合评估、严格筛选后,血管成形术治疗内科治疗无效的症状性颅内动脉狭窄患者,安全性高,中、远期疗效满意。     

Acute carotid stent thrombosis: review of the literature and long-term follow-up

BackgroundCarotid artery stenting (CAS) is a reasonable alternative to carotid endarterectomy, especially in patients at high risk for surgery. Carotid stent thrombosis can cause thrombembolic events, but fortunately, it is a very rare complication. We present two cases of carotid stent thrombosis and their long-term follow-up.Case reportsOne patient had severe bilateral carotid stenosis and the other had contralateral carotid occlusion. Both patients were on correct antithrombotic treatment and received balloon expandable stents (bare metal stent and drug-eluting stent). During CAS, large thrombus formed within the stent followed by rapid hemodynamic and neurological alteration. We gave a bolus thrombolytic in the clot, followed by continuous intra-arterial infusion. In one case, we performed additional angioplasty. Repeated angiography showed complete resolution of the thrombus, followed by progressive improvement in the neurological state. At discharge, the patients had no neurological deficits. CT scans revealed no acute ischemic lesions.One patient had in-stent restenosis 3 years later, which was treated with an additional self-expandable stent.The last follow-up was done 4 and 9 years, respectively, from the initial CAS complication. Both patients did not experience any neurological events after the last procedure.ConclusionsCarotid stent thrombosis is a rare but potentially fatal complication following CAS. Rapid invasive diagnosis and reperfusion should be done to limit cerebral ischemia. The possible causes must be sighted and reperfusion must be started. Despite an initial dramatic course, a rapid reperfusion ensures a complete neurological recovery and a good prognosis in the long term.     

Three-year follow-up after rotational atherectomy for the treatment of diffuse in-stent restenosis: predictors of major adverse cardiac events.

Restenosis remains the major limitation of coronary stent implantation, especially in diffuse forms of in-stent restenosis. In this study, rotablation (RA) with adjunct angioplasty of in-stent restenosis was performed in 84 patients. Clinical follow-up and control angiography were obtained 6-month postprocedure. The rate of recurrent restenosis after rotablation for in-stent restenosis at 6-month angiographic follow-up was 45%, resulting in a rate of major adverse cardiac events of 35%. At 3-year follow-up, the cumulative event-free survival rate was 57% for the entire population. The only predictor of MACE at 3-year clinical follow-up by multivariate logistic regression analysis was in-stent lesion length. RA for the treatment of diffuse in-stent restenosis is thereby characterized by high procedural success rates and recurrent angiographic restenosis in 45% of patients with diffuse lesions. Major adverse cardiac events occur most likely within the first 6 months postprocedure. Three years after rotablation of in-stent restenosis, 43% of patients had experienced at least one major adverse cardiac event. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;53:334-340.     

Covered versus bare self-expanding stents for endovascular treatment of carotid artery stenosis: a stopped randomized trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether filter-protected carotid artery stenting (CAS) using a covered self-expanding stent reduces the risk of cerebral embolization. METHODS: Fourteen asymptomatic patients (13 men; median age 77 years, IQR 73-83) were enrolled in a randomized pilot trial comparing the rates of cerebral microembolism during and after filter-protected CAS using either a self-expanding covered (n=8) or a bare (n=6) carotid stent. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring was done during and for 90 minutes after the procedure. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) was performed before and 24 hours after CAS. Patients were followed for 6 months for neurological events and occurrence of restenosis. RESULTS: A significant reduction in ipsilateral microembolic signals by TCD was observed with the covered (median 1, IQR 0-4) versus the bare stent (median 6, IQR 3-8; p=0.043). Comparison of the preprocedural and 24-hour postprocedural DW-MRI images showed no new ipsilateral lesions but 1 new lesion in the contralateral hemisphere in the covered stent group, resulting in an overall 7% (95% CI 0%-20%) rate of new ischemic lesions. No neurological complications occurred up to 6 months. Restenosis (>70%) occurred in 3 (38%) of 8 patients with the covered versus none of the bare stents (p=0.21). The trial was stopped when the third restenosis of a covered stent was detected. CONCLUSION: Self-expanding covered stents potentially reduce the risk of cerebral microembolism during and after carotid stenting. However, the problem of in-stent restenosis has to be resolved before these devices can be considered for further investigation.     

Cerebral ischemic events associated with endocarditis, retinal vascular disease, and lupus anticoagulant

PURPOSE: A group of young patients presenting with cerebral ischemic events, endocardial lesions, and lupus anticoagulant is described in order to highlight the common clinical laboratory features. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen consecutive patients (10 females, age range 17 to 53 years [mean 38 years]) at onset of symptoms of cerebral ischemia who had evidence of the lupus anticoagulant syndrome and were being followed prospectively are reviewed. All patients had abnormal phospholipid-dependent coagulation test results, and most had anticardiolipin antibody at the time of presentation. Three of 14 had four or more American Rheumatism Association criteria for definite systemic lupus erythematosus and the remaining patients were considered to have primary lupus anticoagulant syndrome. RESULTS: The common features among these patients included at least one cerebral ischemic event at presentation (stroke or transient ischemic attack), or recurrent episodes suggesting cerebral ischemia (amaurosis fugax, recurrent severe migraine headaches), livedo reticularis, endocardial valvular lesions noted on echocardiography (11 mitral, two aortic valve) that were often associated with discrete vegetations, retinal vascular lesions, and computed tomographic/magnetic resonance imaging scanning or angiographic evidence of multiple cerebral infarction. Venous thromboembolic events were uncommon (three of 14). Common laboratory studies included thrombocytopenia (10 of 14), positive direct Coombs' test result (11 of 14), and hypocomplementemia (11 of 14). Follow-up after initial treatment with either salicylates or anticoagulant therapy (warfarin) for up to 10 years indicated that while many patients had recurrent symptoms suggesting cerebral ischemia, major stroke syndromes did not recur nor new episodes emerge. CONCLUSION: The combination of multiple cerebral ischemic lesions and endocardial lesions, including valvular vegetations, suggests that these cerebral ischemic events represent cerebral emboli, and that these cerebral embolic events originate from vegetative lesions on the mitral or, less commonly, aortic valve, in association with lupus anticoagulant.     

Comparison of in-hospital outcomes of patients with versus without previous carotid endarterectomy undergoing carotid stenting (from the German ALKK CAS Registry)

Repeat carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for recurrent stenosis remains a challenging treatment option associated with high morbidity and mortality. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an attractive alternative management option for these patients. However, data about the effectiveness and safety of CAS in a large number of unselected patients are less known. We evaluated 3,070 patients who underwent CAS enrolled in a German registry from 1996 to 2006 at 31 sites. We compared clinical and angiographic features and in-hospital outcomes of patients with and without previous CEA who underwent CAS. Of 3,070 patients in the registry, 223 (7.3%) underwent CAS for restenosis after previous CEA. Median age was similar in patients with and without previous CEA (70 years, interquartile range 64 to 76 vs 71 years, interquartile range 65 to 76). Ipsilateral neurologic symptoms occurred in approximately 1/2 the patients in both groups. Other co-morbid conditions and angiographic or procedural factors did not differ between the 2 groups. In-hospital events including death (0% vs 0.4%), ipsilateral major stroke (1.4% vs 1.5%), death or major ipsilateral stroke (1.4% vs 1.7%), ipsilateral transient ischemic attack (1.9% vs 2.8%), myocardial infarction (0.4% vs 0.1%), and reintervention (0.7% vs 0.4%) were all low and not significantly different between those with and without previous CEA (p >0.05 for all comparisons). In conclusion, our data for a large number of patients who underwent CAS in a recent contemporary community-based practice attests to the low risk of periprocedural events in patients with recurrent stenosis after previous CEA. This low risk along with the less invasive nature of the procedure should make CAS an attractive and perhaps preferred option for the treatment of these patients.     

Prevention of recurrent cerebral ischemic events in patients with patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic strokes or transient ischemic attacks

BACKGROUND: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is found in up to 50% of patients less than 55 years of age who have had a stroke. Therapeutic options include no therapy, antiplatelet therapy, warfarin and surgical closure of the PFO. OBJECTIVES: To determine the relative and attributable risks of PFO for recurrent cerebral ischemic events in young patients with stroke or transient ischemic attacks. The predictors of recurrent cerebral ischemic events and the effects of different therapies on recurrence rates were sought. DESIGN: Follow-up of a retrospective cohort of patients with cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attacks identified from an echocardiography database. SETTING: University-based regional neurology referral centre. PATIENTS: Consecutive group of 90 patients less than 60 years of age who underwent transesophageal echocardiography following a cryptogenic transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke (cerebrovascular accident [CVA]) between 1991 and 1997. INTERVENTIONS: Structured telephone interviews and chart reviews. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients had a PFO, and 38 patients did not have a PFO. During a mean follow-up of 46 months, 19 recurrent cerebral ischemic events (12 TIA and seven CVA) occurred in 14 patients with PFO, and eight recurrent events (three TIA and five CVA) occurred in six patients without PFO. The recurrence rates were 12% and 5%/patient/year in the PFO and control groups, respectively, for a crude recurrence rate ratio of 2.39 (95% CI 1.01 to 6.32, P < 0.03). The attributable risk of PFO in recurrent neurological events was 7%/patient/year. In a Cox regression model, predictors of recurrent neurological events were presence of PFO (hazard ratio 5.27, 95% CI 1.58 to 17.6, P < 0.007), history of migraine (hazard ratio 4.54, 95% CI 1.11 to 18.52, P < 0.035), hypertension requiring therapy (hazard ratio 3.5, 95% CI 1.33 to 9.01, P < 0.01), and antiplatelet or no therapy instead of warfarin therapy (hazard ratio 2.88, 95% CI 1.11 to 8.7, P < 0.04). Fourteen patients underwent surgical closure of PFO; there were no neurological recurrences during a mean follow-up of 43 months (crude incidence rate difference 12%/patient/year, 95% CI 6.6 to 17.9, P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PFO had a significantly higher rate of recurrent cerebral ischemic events than those without PFO. Surgical PFO closure prevented any recurrences during a mean follow-up of 43 months. Warfarin was better than antiplatelet therapy or no therapy in preventing recurrences.     

Endovascular treatment of in-stent restenosis after carotid artery stenting: immediate and midterm results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the immediate and midterm outcome and analyze the debris captured after repeat endovascular intervention for the treatment of in-stent restenosis after carotid artery stenting (CAS). METHODS: Thirty-one consecutive patients (27 men; mean age 63.7+/-13.0 years, range 53- 81) underwent repeat endovascular intervention (balloon angioplasty and provisional stenting) for the treatment of 32 in-stent restenoses following CAS. RESULTS: Procedural success was achieved in all patients. An additional stent was implanted in 10 (31%) cases. No procedural complication was observed. Filter analysis was performed in 17 (53%) procedures; on 12 (71%), macroscopically visible material was captured. The histomorphometric analysis performed on 6 (19%) filters showed fibrin nets entrapping erythrocytes, leucocytes, platelets, and in 2 cases, fibrous hypercellular tissue fragments. At 30 days and during follow-up (mean 17+/-5 months), no deaths, transient ischemic attacks, or strokes were observed. In 1 (3.1%) patient, asymptomatic recurrence of ISR was found on Doppler ultrasonography and successfully treated with balloon angioplasty. CONCLUSION: Repeat endovascular intervention using balloon angioplasty with provisional stenting and routine cerebral protection appears to be a feasible, safe, and clinically effective strategy for the treatment of in-stent restenosis after CAS.     

Outcomes following extracranial carotid artery stenting in high-risk patients

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting has become a viable alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA), especially for patients considered at high risk for post-operative complications. This study investigated the feasibility, safety and long-term outcome of carotid artery stenting (CAS) in high-risk patients. METHODS: From July 1995 to November 2000, sixty-two consecutive patients considered to be at high risk for post-operative complications of CEA were followed prospectively after undergoing extracranial CAS procedures. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients [37 men (60%) and 25 women (40%)] underwent a total of 69 CAS procedures. The mean age was 67 +/- 9 years (range, 32-89 years). Comorbid conditions included hypertension in 95% and severe coronary artery disease in 58%. Sixteen patients (26%) had a previous ipsilateral CEA, twenty-one percent had a history of neck radiation and 32% had a history of significant contralateral carotid artery disease. Fifty-two patients (84%) were symptomatic. All 69 CAS procedures were technically successful. The major post-operative complications were two minor strokes (2.8%), one major stroke (1.4%) and one fatal major stroke (1.4%). The mean length of follow-up was 17 months (range, 4 months to 5.6 years). Two patients (2.8%) have suffered ipsilateral neurologic events following CAS. Long-term follow-up revealed restenosis at 6 months in 4 patients (5.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting is safe and feasible. This procedure produces satisfactory outcomes in patients who are at high risk for post-operative complications of CEA.